Pushed to the Limit

You ever feel like you just can't take any more? Today I think I just about hit my breaking point. Seriously, this process is like one emotional step forward and three steps back. The optimism I was feeling less than 24 hours ago is clouded now. So here's the scoop. There were 5 or 6 cases I heard of that got out of PGN yesterday. That was exciting to me. Rumors and speculation are flying about the forums this week though and are now causing me to wonder were these cases approved before the New Year and are just getting reported now?

Here's what I know:

1. Yesterday it was reported that there was a sign on the window at PGN saying no new cases (including cases to be resubmitted after a previo) would be accepted.

2. There has been speculation on the forums I follow that no new cases will be approved after today, and then it will be a 2-3 week period before they resume approvals. This is presumably because all cases under the new law in order to be grandfathered must be registered with the Central Authority (that does not yet exist of course).

3. Today www.jcics.org reported the following:

"Joint Council can confirm that PGN is no longer processing adoption cases with the exception of those that have already been approved. All other aspects of adoption processing have been stopped.

This is a result of the new adoption law requiring the registration of cases with the Central Authority prior to cases being reinitiated. Joint Council continues to advocate for a position solution to the situation."

4. Guatadopt posted their interpretation a little while ago:

"We are getting mixed information but our ground forces are trying to clarify the reality of the statement. At this time, we believe (based on the information) that PGN is not accepting new cases but they are continuing to process cases. Under the new law, they are in a questionable position because the law states that all cases must be registered with the Central Authority...you know, the one that does not exist yet. So, I believe that the translation is that they are still working on cases, but there may not be any "approvals" until this has been ironed out.

We are pushing for a solution regarding the Central Authority. But remember, that you have a new administration turnover. So, current folks will be leaving on the 14th of this month. So, it is very possible that nothing will be resolved until the new administration is "in" UNLESS, the current administration establishes this Central Authority and comes up with some mechanism to handle registration under the new law."

5. After a couple hours of trying this morning, we were finally able to get through to PGN to check on our case. We are still awaiting signature, and were told that they are still working on the end of October cases. She said that we should hear by the end of next week.

So, what does it all mean? I have no flipping clue any more. I'd like to believe that Laura (the nice woman we speak to when we call PGN) would know if cases are continuing to be processed. According to the new law, in order for a case to be grandfathered, they need to register with the Central Authority by January 30th. If we would naturally have gotten out of PGN before then, do we still need to be registered? Do we need to wait until the CA is established to register before our cases can proceed? Maybe they will continue to process cases through, but just can't issue formal approvals until the CA is in place? Ahhhhhhhhhh!!

So the way I see it is this; best case, we get out next week. Worst case, we get a previo and can't be resubmitted until the Central Authority is in place. Another horrible scenario is that they indeed are not issuing approvals until the CA is in place and we are put on hold until that time. But remember; cases expecting grandfathering are supposed to be registered with the Central Authority by January 30th, but as I remember it, there was a 60 day time period (from when the law went into effect on December 31st) in which the CA would need to be implemented. What happens if it is not up and running by January 30th? Are we all then not eligible for the grandfathering?

I guess all we can do is wait.....again.....