Multiple adoption service providers participated in a conference call with the U.S. Department of State and U.S.C.I.S. recently to discuss the PAIR process.
During the call, USCIS shared statistics on the PAIR cases they have processed since the PAIR process began in September 2013. The following statistics (for cases received through February 10, 2014) were shared by our agency:
Total number of cases submitted 293
Cases waiting to be reviewed by NBC 85 (One is ours.)
RFEs issued by NBC 62
Cases with the Embassy Addis 69
Total number of PAIR approval letters issued 77
During the call, multiple agencies expressed our concern with the length of time certain processes are taking and offered suggestions for ways this can be addressed, including utilizing additional staff. There are currently only five officers working to process all PAIR cases at NBC. Talk about overload! The department does not have any immediate plans to hire new staff but will consider it as an option in the future. We're thankful that AWAA will continue to advocate for faster processes. In the meantime, we're praying for our case to be assigned and for our case officer's patience, efficiency, and endurance.