Citizenship gives us the right to work, vote and hold public office in the United States. It also grants us certain protection under U.S. laws not fully available to noncitizens. A provision of the 1996 Immigration and Naturalization Act allows for the deportation of noncitizens convicted of a felony. Those in favor of the new legislation believe this case, while extreme, highlights the importance of expedient processing of citizenship for adopted children. The risk of not doing it is just too great.
Adoption is outrageously expensive.
Expenses included legal fees, social worker services and document processing fees. In addition, both parents were required to travel to China to pick up their daughter. The Kohlers, both of whom work for the federal government, have been scrimping and saving throughout the two years they have been married in order to be able to finance an adoption. To look at our lifestyle, you wouldn't believe it. We live well below our income to make this happen, and we want to do it again.