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| − | {{#eimage:http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/10387534363_05ecb60da3_b.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Local women in Turmi.'''<BR/>Source: flickr.com.}}
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| − | '''4. File the Form [[I-600]] with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to initiate the Pre-[[Adoption]] Immigration Review prior to filing an [[adoption]] case with the courts'''
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| − | Under the Pre-[[Adoption]] Immigration Review (PAIR) program, the U.S. prospective [[Adoptive Parent|adoptive parent]](s) files a Form [[I-600]], [http://www.uscis.gov/i-600 Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative], with the National Benefits Center (NBC) prior to obtaining a final [[Adoption Decree|adoption decree]] from the relevant court authority in [[Ethiopia]]. After review of the Form [[I-600]] petition and completion of the Form I-604 investigation, NBC will make a preliminary determination on whether the child meets the definition of [[orphan]] under U.S. immigration law. If the determination is favorable, NBC will issue a preliminary determination of immigration eligibility to the U.S. prospective [[Adoptive Parent|adoptive parent]](s) in the form of a USCIS PAIR letter. If an unfavorable determination is made, NBC may issue a request for additional evidence or denial letter to the U.S. prospective [[Adoptive Parent|adoptive parent]](s).
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| − | Beginning on September 1, 2013, the Ethiopian government will require a USCIS PAIR letter in all U.S. [[adoption]] cases filed with the Ethiopian Federal First Instance Court (FFIC). Therefore, beginning on May 1, 2013, all new [[adoption]] cases filed with NBC must undergo a pre-[[adoption]] immigration review.
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| − | To initiate the PAIR process, prospective [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]] should submit a completed Form I‑600 together with all available documentation listed in the Form [[I-600]] Instructions, minus an [[Adoption Decree|adoption decree]] or grant of [[Legal Custody|legal custody]] to the USCIS National Benefits Center through the Dallas Lockbox. All documents originally produced in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation. In addition, the following PAIR-specific documentation must be submitted when the child’s country of origin is [[Ethiopia]]:
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| − | ::::1. Evidence of the match between petitioner and child such as: [[Adoption]] Contract between the Prospective [[Adoptive Parent]] (PAP) and the [[orphanage]], together with a power of attorney appointing the [[Adoption Service Provider]] (ASP) to represent the PAP, in cases where the contract is signed by the ASP on behalf of the PAP; or [[Adoption]] Contract between the PAP and relinquishing birth relative.
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| − | ::::2. Evidence of child’s availability for intercountry [[adoption]], such as: Court order from Regional, Zonal or Woreda authorities; Police report from local authorities, placing the child in the care of a licensed [[orphanage]]; or [[Adoption]] Contract between PAP and relinquishing birth relative, in cases of intra-family [[adoption]] only.
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| − | In addition to the documentation required in the Form [[I-600]] instructions pertaining to evidence that the child is an [[orphan]] as defined in section 101(b)(1)(F) and 8 CFR 204.3(b), there may be [[Ethiopia]] specific documentation that can help establish the child’s [[orphan]] status. Such documentation may include, but is not limited to:
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| − | ::::::1. Child’s life history report;
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| − | ::::::2. Police report documenting finding of abandoned child;
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| − | ::::::3. Police reports documenting disappearance of [[Birth Parent|birth parent]](s), if applicable;
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| − | ::::::4. Medical or Court order documenting [[Birth Parent|birth parent]](s)’ incapacitation or illness;
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| − | ::::::5. Copies of [[Birth Parent|birth parent]](s) death certificate(s).
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| − | USCIS will forward its preliminary favorable determination, together with the prospective [[Adoptive Parent|adoptive parent]]’s file, to the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa. USCIS will also forward the original preliminary determination letter to the prospective [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]] for their [[records]]. Upon issuance of the PAIR letter, USCIS NBC will forward your petition to the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa for final adjudication following the completion of the Ethiopian court process.
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| − | Back to [[Adopting from Ethiopia]]
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