power of the two bit bureaucrat... act two

[decker 1]

So to continue the saga of HCMC Consulate... I contacted a DNA testing company called GENELEX, a comany on the consualtes approved list. Gathered my cheek swab sample no problem. They sent a kit to HCM on the 27 of April and Linh was not notified until yesterday. Her appointment is on 8 July. Only a government agency can turn a 15 minute procedure into a 2 1/2 month exercise in patience. I can hardly wait for Act Three!!!!

Enjoy.

THIS IS THE BACKGROUND STORY OR AS I LIKE TO CALL IT, ACT ONE.

my last posting was generally happy. Linh was about to get her visa. All was good. Here is the background and the rest of the story.

17 March we got to the Consulate in HCM to do a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. Everything went well and no mention of a DNA test.

23 March we go back to the consulate for her interview. We had to bring our newborn son and Linhs daughter from a previous marriage. She had to return with our son's passport when it arrived and a picture of her with her daugther. Fine. Again no mention of DNA.

16 April she goes back to the consulate to pick up the CRBA and passport. She tries to turn this in and trouble starts. The VN CO tells her that the window is closed, she is late, go home. Linh tries to explain the whole infant son thing but it aint working. VN chick goes away, Linh spies and American and asks him who agrees to help. VN chick returns and she is having none of this. Starts going off on American dude and Linh. Linh is sent packing.

17 April. Linh returns and don't you know she gets VN chick. VN chick does not say anything, just hands her a instruction packet to get DNA done not only on our son, but on her daughter as well. Swell.

So the lesson here kids is do what you are told the first time. Enjoy your day.

[sjr09 155]

So to continue the saga of HCMC Consulate... I contacted a DNA testing company called GENELEX, a comany on the consualtes approved list. Gathered my cheek swab sample no problem. They sent a kit to HCM on the 27 of April and Linh was not notified until yesterday. Her appointment is on 8 July. Only a government agency can turn a 15 minute procedure into a 2 1/2 month exercise in patience. I can hardly wait for Act Three!!!!

Enjoy.

THIS IS THE BACKGROUND STORY OR AS I LIKE TO CALL IT, ACT ONE.

my last posting was generally happy. Linh was about to get her visa. All was good. Here is the background and the rest of the story.

17 March we got to the Consulate in HCM to do a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. Everything went well and no mention of a DNA test.

23 March we go back to the consulate for her interview. We had to bring our newborn son and Linhs daughter from a previous marriage. She had to return with our son's passport when it arrived and a picture of her with her daugther. Fine. Again no mention of DNA.

16 April she goes back to the consulate to pick up the CRBA and passport. She tries to turn this in and trouble starts. The VN CO tells her that the window is closed, she is late, go home. Linh tries to explain the whole infant son thing but it aint working. VN chick goes away, Linh spies and American and asks him who agrees to help. VN chick returns and she is having none of this. Starts going off on American dude and Linh. Linh is sent packing.

17 April. Linh returns and don't you know she gets VN chick. VN chick does not say anything, just hands her a instruction packet to get DNA done not only on our son, but on her daughter as well. Swell.

So the lesson here kids is do what you are told the first time. Enjoy your day.

"NO mention of DNA"read the requirements for Derivative U.S. Citizenship

Report of Birth Abroad

Registration of Birth Abroad

In most cases, a child born overseas to an American citizen parent has a claim to American citizenship. The eligibility of an American citizen to "transmit citizenship" (the legal term) is usually based on having spent a certain period of time physically present in the United States prior to the birth of the child. The Consular Section can discuss with you the specific requirements given your particular circumstances.

The birth of a child abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s) should be reported as soon as possible to the nearest American consular office for the purpose of establishing an official record of the child's claim to U.S. citizenship at birth. The official record is in the form of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America. This document, referred to as the Consular Report of Birth (CRBA), is considered a basic United States citizenship document. An original CRBA is furnished to the parent(s) at the time the registration is approved. A Consular Report of Birth can be prepared only at an American consular office overseas while the child is under the age of 18.

The application for a CRBA requires the following:

an official record of the child's local birth (i.e., birth certificate),

evidence of the parent(s)' U.S. citizenship (e.g., current U.S. passport),

evidence of the parents' marriage (if applicable),

affidavits of parent(s)' residence and physical presence in the United States,

identity documentation for a non-citizen parent (if applicable),

completed Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad (DS-2029),

completed Application for Social Security Card, and

payment of applicable fees.

Both parents must appear at the Embassy, together with their child and the above documents. Please do not sign any of the documents until requested to do so by the Consular Officer.

In certain cases it may be necessary to submit additional documents, including affidavits of paternity and support, divorce decrees from prior marriages, evidence of prior U.S. residence and/or physical presence, or DNA tests. If you have questions regarding your ability to transmit citizen ship, please review the legal requirements for transmission of citizenship.

Parents are encouraged to apply for a U.S. passport for their newborn child at the same time that they apply for a CRBA.

For more detailed information on CRBAs and replacement copies of these documents, please see the Department of State's webpage on Documentation of U.S. Citizens Born Abroad.

[krystiandjon 0]

I think the point the OP was trying to make was that if they were going to require a DNA test they had 2 previous opportunities to present that. And it's not required, it's up to the discretion of the embassy. But as we've all learned, efficiency, common sense, and customer service are not something the US government does well.

I'm sorry for your troubles and hope you get everything sorted soon!

[rebeccajo 14]

I think the point the OP was trying to make was that if they were going to require a DNA test they had 2 previous opportunities to present that. And it's not required, it's up to the discretion of the embassy. But as we've all learned, efficiency, common sense, and customer service are not something the US government does well.

I'm sorry for your troubles and hope you get everything sorted soon!

It's HCMC. Anything and everything can happen in the name of prevention of immigration fraud.

I'm actually surprised that the OP is surprised. He should have realized this was likely.

[sjr09 155]

I think the point the OP was trying to make was that if they were going to require a DNA test they had 2 previous opportunities to present that. And it's not required, it's up to the discretion of the embassy. But as we've all learned, efficiency, common sense, and customer service are not something the US government does well.

I'm sorry for your troubles and hope you get everything sorted soon!

I understand what the OP is saying but customer service or not it’s very clear what they can ask for OP said no mention of DNA but it’s right there! In black and white. I’m only pointing out the facts, you have to read.

I’ve gone thru CRBA in Manila. If your documentation is poor they will ask for DNA every time., My doc was bullet proof even after they told me no red flags they kept talking about DNA! NO DNA test.

[krystiandjon 0]

I think the point the OP was trying to make was that if they were going to require a DNA test they had 2 previous opportunities to present that. And it's not required, it's up to the discretion of the embassy. But as we've all learned, efficiency, common sense, and customer service are not something the US government does well.

I'm sorry for your troubles and hope you get everything sorted soon!

It's HCMC. Anything and everything can happen in the name of prevention of immigration fraud.

I'm actually surprised that the OP is surprised. He should have realized this was likely.

Even when you suspect it's coming, it still makes you feel better to whine on VJ