Funke Kids’ Citizenship Project

Most of you know that we have adopted two children. According to Tanzanian law, Michael and Julia are already 100% our children (Michael as of July 2016 and Julia as of July 2018). However, just because Tanzania affirms that they are our kids does not mean that they will automatically be American citizens. (Instead, they will have Tanzanian passports, and we will have to continue to get U.S. visitor’s visas for them whenever we travel to the U.S.)

The goal is for Michael and Julia to become U.S. citizens! However, it’s a long (and expensive!) road to citizenship. We estimate that it will cost approximately $18,000 total. We know can’t do this on our own. We humbly ask for your prayers and financial support.

If you would like to help our children become American citizens, click the “GIVE” button on the right.

Why is it so expensive?

There are only two routes to citizenship for our kids. The I-130/n600K route requires U.S. parents to have legal custody of their children for 2 years before filing and then requires another 18-24 months to process. This means we would not be able to get U.S. passports and certificates of citizenship for both of our children until Spring 2021 at the very earliest or possibly as late as Fall 2022. Considering how immigration laws in the U.S. could change in the coming years and given our desire to be able to move back to the U.S. early into our kids’ elementary school education, we do not feel this is the best option for our family.

Therefore, we are planning to go the I-600A/I-600 route. This route requires working with a Hague-accredited agency which makes it faster, but significantly more expensive. After much research we have decided to work with Wasatch International Adoptions Agency (WIAA). The I-600A requires flying a Hague-certified social worker to Tanzania to write an official home study report. Thankfully, WIAA has a social worker stationed in Germany so flights will not be as expensive as flying someone from the U.S.

 

 

 

Here are the estimated costs associated with this 2-year process.

Year 1- 2018

Application and Program fee– $3000

Home study fee– $2000

Fees for official translation of all Swahili documents– $600

Flights and accommodations for home study (from Germany)– $1700

Flights and accommodations in Dar Es Salaam for U.S. Notary– $1200

USCIS I-600A fee– $775

Fee for biometric fingerprints- $170 ($85)

We hope to file the I-600A and have the biometric fingerprints done during our furlough Fall 2018.

 

Year 2- 2019

USCIS I-600 fee– $775

Flight and accommodations in Nairobi to file the I-600—$1600

Placement fees for both kids– $3500

Flights and accommodations in Dar for immigration visas/med check– $1200

Kids’ immigration visas and medical check– $850

Post placement report fees– $600

 

TOTAL NEEDED: $18,000

Thank you all for your love and support during this challenging process!

If you would like to help our children become American citizens, click the “GIVE” button on the right.