[PattyR]

I don't buy the story about blaming this on the FBI at all. When I was fingerprinted at the BCIS office I asked how long it took to get the report back. That said when they are submitted electronically they get them back from the FBI within 24 - 48 hours.

What I would like to do is figure out how we as adoptive/adopting parents can successfully advocate for change. I think it's ridiculous that the only way to communicate with these people is through the mail. They do not seem to respond in any big hurry and furthermore even after you apply you are not given a name and contact number. We pay hundreds of dollars for this service and we get terrible service (at least at some offices). If there aren't enough people, hire more. If someone isn't getting the job done---let them go. That's what would happen in any other job. I just can't believe there isn't accountability.

Sorry, but this is one of my pet peeves. Our paperwork often gets faster attention in the foreign country than it does here. Furthermore, if you call the BCIS and nicely ask questions about their process --- you may be called "un-Patriotic!" It happened to me and I was being nice.