Back to USCIS

It has been just over a year since we were first fingerprinted at the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) Office in Oklahoma City. In September our fingerprints will expire. This morning at the appointed times, Rebecca and I made our individual treks back to USCIS to have our fingerprints redone. The fingerprints themselves came and went with little consequence. As I sat in the waiting area, holding my assigned number and waiting to be called, I was struck by the sheer magnificence of being surrounded by individuals from all across the globe - many of whom spoke little English. What a rare experience to be in one's own country, and yet be surrounded by individuals who were so unlike one's self. The experience was both awe-inspiring and humbling.

At the moment, there seems to be little movement on "the list." In the next few weeks, the courts in Ethiopia will again close for the rainy season, not to reopen until sometime in September or October. In the meantime we will continue to wait (sometimes patiently, sometimes not so patiently) in anticipation of what is sure to come.

Ryan