Jump to content

That Helpless Feeling...


Recommended Posts

Hey Folks,

 

I'm just sitting here trying to think of what more I can do. After reading Rob's predicament yesterday, it became clear to me that we need to remain proactive in this process. I've read other posts from ya'll and most seem to concur.

 

So, now I have a fiancée (not a wife) with a nine year-old son who's seven weeks pregnant. If you followed Rob's story, it can be a tricky thing. BTW: Thanks to Rob and everyone else who contributed in that chat. I learned a lot...perhaps some things about China I didn't want to know. Eyes wide shut, as it were.

 

Everyday I think, "What can I do today?" Since I'm getting a whole lot of nothin', it seems I'm not doing it right. GZ doesn't respond to my emails anymore, my one senator asked for additional information but has yet to tell me his findings, no word from the other senator, etc.

 

I've read much about this Harty lady on this site. It seems many have written/faxed her. I want to write too but won't hold my breath. It can't hurt. Does anyone have her fax number? Any suggestions what I should include in the fax? Waybill info from the messed up mailing (as previously suggested), the pregnancy, the fact we can't formally notify GZ about the baby until we get P3, etc.?

 

Tonight, I'll call Chengdu and see if I can get their help too in getting some document to satisfy the Chinese government.

 

Okay....I feel like I've done something now. Thanks. I'll start writing Harty the letter and make the call tonight. That's seems to be a fair day's effort.

 

Dave

Link to comment
Hi, Dave,

 

It might be useful for your senator or represenative to email or contact GZ directly to get information about your case. GZ can (normally) ignore us, but I believe they have obligations to response to the congressional inquiries.

 

Good luck!

 

Christy

 

Gotta remember, GZ doesn't even know who we are (new system) until the NVC and DOS are finished with us. At that point most of the work is done.

Link to comment
Hi, Dave,

 

It might be useful for your senator or represenative to email or contact GZ directly to get information about your case.   GZ can (normally) ignore us, but I believe they have obligations to response to the congressional inquiries.

 

Good luck!

 

Christy

Well, well, well.....Christy. Where have you been?

 

I'm sitting here working on some projects when the phone rang. Senator Ensign's office. I requested assistance last week and did as you had suggested. I gave the Senator the GZ fax number and suggested he request a response. He got one today.

 

It wasn't earthshattering, but at least something. GZ wanted my b-day (I provided everything else asked on the email form) . Huh? On the emails, they only want the benificiary's DOB. Who cares? At least they asked.

 

So, Christy....I'm giving you the credit for this little success. Everything you suggested worked exactly right.

 

PS: The assistant's name? Christy. Small world.

Link to comment

My wife talked to Linda Donahue about the delayed mail of May 9th. Ms. Donahue said that she is aware of the mail and processing will begin soon. She also said that May 9th wasn't the earliest of the mail delays.

I don't have a number for Ms. Donahue but maybe someone can post it here........ty!

Link to comment

Contact Information

Address: No. 1 Shamian Street South, Guangzhou 510133

Phone: 020-8121-8000

Fax: 020-8121-9001

 

 

Consul General:

John J. Norris, Jr.

CG OMS: Antonette Schroeder

ECO/POL: Harvey Somers

COM: Eric Zheng Tel 8667-4011, Fax 8666-6409

CON: Linda Donahue Fax 8121-8428

ADM: Wade Leahy

RSO: Charles Lisenbee

PAO: Wendy Lyle Tel 8335-4269, Fax 8335-4764

FAS: Samuel Wong Tel 8667-7553, Fax 8666-0703

INS: Young S. Ly

Link to comment

Okay,,,here's the dope................

 

90-120 days from the time GZ (including delay time) receives the mail(petitions).

once in system---3 to 4 days to mail p3

p4--- 6 to 8 weeks to interview date..

May 9th( my favorite mail) is looking at p3's by the end of August or sooner but could step into the first week of September. 90-120 days

 

***you do the math

 

NVC ships twice a month to GZ

Link to comment
Hi, Dave,

 

It might be useful for your senator or represenative to email or contact GZ directly to get information about your case.   GZ can (normally) ignore us, but I believe they have obligations to response to the congressional inquiries.

 

Good luck!

 

Christy

Well, well, well.....Christy. Where have you been?

 

I'm sitting here working on some projects when the phone rang. Senator Ensign's office. I requested assistance last week and did as you had suggested. I gave the Senator the GZ fax number and suggested he request a response. He got one today.

 

It wasn't earthshattering, but at least something. GZ wanted my b-day (I provided everything else asked on the email form) . Huh? On the emails, they only want the benificiary's DOB. Who cares? At least they asked.

 

So, Christy....I'm giving you the credit for this little success. Everything you suggested worked exactly right.

 

PS: The assistant's name? Christy. Small world.

Hi, Dave,

 

I am glad that I could help. I hope your case will go really smoothly from now on!

 

Christy

Link to comment
Hi, Dave,

 

It might be useful for your senator or represenative to email or contact GZ directly to get information about your case.   GZ can (normally) ignore us, but I believe they have obligations to response to the congressional inquiries.

 

Good luck!

 

Christy

 

Gotta remember, GZ doesn't even know who we are (new system) until the NVC and DOS are finished with us. At that point most of the work is done.

Hi, Rob,

 

That suggestion was from my experience. Our case was one of the "lucky" ones that was on-hold by FBI after the interview. So, that was the old system. I am not too sure about the new process.

 

BTW, I hope everything works out for you, your wife and your baby. I followed the 'Baby crisis" thread very closely, unfortunately, I could not offer any constructive suggestions. Remember to tell us the good news after the baby is born :angry:

 

Christy

Link to comment

Follow up:

 

Called Chengdu last night. Got through on my first try at 6:00 PM PST. Talked to a nice Chinese man but his English was limited. He forwarded me to a guy from Little Rock. We had a nice chat and I tried to schmooz a little. Bottom line: Chengdu will take my information, notify the proper Chinese family agency, and will give Jing Mei what she needs to tell gov officials the baby belongs to an American. I'm so relieved.

 

I also got a follow-up letter from my state's senator in the mail. Maybe the office will call again today as well.

 

So, the lesson here is stay proactive. Be creative and polite. Keep nudging the process along. And pray...................

 

Cheers

Link to comment

New Follow-up:

 

(Everything is in China time) I talked to the Chengdu Consulate on Friday morning. I sent a fax Friday night and included all the information they requested. On Monday morning, the consulate called Jing Mei and made an appointment for her on Thusday afternoon so they can give her documentation that our baby will be a US citizen.

 

When Jing Mei told me the news, I got choaked up. After dealing with CSC, NVC, and GZ, I didn't expect much. Especially so fast! I'm just relieved our baby will have some 'protection' now and that Jing Mei will not have to 'hide' from the authorities.

 

The advice on this board is well taken. Stay proactive, write/call who you can, and stay on top of your case as best as you can.

 

Cheers!

Link to comment
New Follow-up:

 

(Everything is in China time)  I talked to the Chengdu Consulate on Friday morning.  I sent a fax Friday night and included all the information they requested.  On Monday morning, the consulate called Jing Mei and made an appointment for her on Thusday afternoon so they can give her documentation that our baby will be a US citizen. 

 

When Jing Mei told me the news, I got choaked up.  After dealing with CSC, NVC, and GZ, I didn't expect much.  Especially so fast!  I'm just relieved our baby will have some 'protection' now and that Jing Mei will not have to 'hide' from the authorities.

 

The advice on this board is well taken.  Stay proactive, write/call who you can, and stay on top of your case as best as you can.

 

Cheers!

That is truly great news Dave. Your proactivity helped a lot. Keep us posted. :D

Link to comment

New new new follow-up:

 

I got called at 1:30 this morning. It was JM and she sounded frantic. She was at the consulate in Chengdu and the guard wouldn't let her in. She had a 4:00 appointment and was worried she'd miss it.

 

I called the consulate and finally got through to a person. I told him the problem and asked for help. He said, "Oh, I know this case. Give me her name and I'll go get her." When I called JM back to tell her what I had done, I heard the man calling to her. Amazing.

 

I just called her again. Now, she has a letter, written in Chinese, naming me as the father and stating the baby will be a US citizen. It instructs any Chinese official who reads the letter not to abort the baby because of the future citizenship. Phew! Crisis averted

 

Thanks to everyone for your ideas and support. Means more to me than you can know.

 

Okay...back to bed.

 

Dave

Link to comment

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...