As many of you know, we received incredibly happy news in November. After a rejection letter from the U.S. State Department three months earlier, we unexpectedly received I-600 approvals in the mail from USCIS. We honestly didn’t believe them at first. We thought it was probably a mistake or an oversight, but after performing some due diligence, we were elated to find that they were indeed authentic approvals for Peter and Zion’s immigration to the United States.
We have since been in touch with the U.S. Consulate in Lagos to coordinate exit visa interviews. We booked 2 flights to Nigeria, leaving February 10, for myself and Dave and 4 flights back home (me + Dave + the twins)! It felt too good to be true. Well, turns out it was.
A few days before Christmas, we received disheartening news from our adoption agency that President Trump issued a presidential proclamation limiting the entry of foreign nationals from 19 countries. Nigeria is on that list. Historically, these immigration bans usually allow for exceptions like adoption immigration. But this one doesn’t. We’ve reached out to everyone we can think of. All of our Colorado congressmen. Immigration lawyers. Friends who work for U.S. immigration. It’s the same message across the board. Our hands are tied. Nothing can be done except wait for 6 months when this ban will be re-evaluated by the president. So we’re stuck. Again.
This is the message we sent to Dan and Elizabeth, Peter and Zion today…
It is with heavy hearts that we write you this morning to let you know that we will not be coming next month for the twins. We just found out yesterday that the new immigration ban put into place recently by President Trump also includes adoption visas. Until this ban is changed or lifted, we will not be allowed to bring the boys to the U.S. It’s hard to express all the feelings we have currently. To say we are discouraged and frustrated is an understatement. It doesn’t seem right or fair that our own government seems to fight against us on each step along the way during this adoption process. We feel badly for Peter and Zion and we feel badly for the position we’ve put you in! But ultimately our hope and faith is steadfast in Christ. We will continue to entrust the twins and both of you and our family “to Him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23. My friend reminded me yesterday of the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18. Please tell the boys that we will keep praying and we will not lose heart. As Jesus says in this parable, God will give justice to his people who cry to him day and night. Also, please let them know that we will keep fighting for them and will not give up. Ultimately we know it’s the Lord who gives the harvest though. Please read these verses to them as an encouragement: “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today… the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14.
