A glimmer of hope...

After a long rough week on this roller coaster, it seems to have ended on a pretty positive note. Everyones calls, emails, letters and faxes seem to be working! Our voices are definitely being heard. The Department of State, JCICS and now the Hague Permanent Bureau (who helped Guatemala draft the Ortega Bill) are in full agreement that in process cases should be allowed to complete without interruption. The Hague Bureau had conveyed their revised position to President Berger of Guatemala along with the Guatemalan Congress, who will have their final vote on the bill and all of the amendments after their elections on November 4th. Everyone is still waiting on UNICEF to put out a statement offering their support of in process cases...to date, they have not done so. So let's get on them! Here's their contact information...

Call,fax or email UNICEF Guatemala:
·Ask to speak with Manuel Manrique
·Their number is 011-502-2327-6373
·Their fax number is 011-502-2327-6366
·Their email is mmanrique@unicef.org


In other news, it seems our agency has received the new law in Spanish; they need some time to translate it. BUT, we received an email from them yesterday stating that their attorneys informed them that there was information included in the Bill to have a grandfather clause for cases in process. They have yet to determine that definition of "in process," but are hopeful that it will be available to them next week. I know everyone else is reporting that the grandfather clause is not included IN the bill, that it is an amendment that needs to be voted on and approved. BUT, I am hopeful that FTIA does have this information and that it is accurate. They have not steered us wrong yet.

Keep praying and calling!!

Thanks,
Jen :]