DOS Adoption Alert: Status of Russian Adoption Legislation

Alert: Legislation to Ban Intercountry Adoption by U.S. Families Passes the Russian Duma and Moves to the Federation Council for Review 

The Department of State continues to follow developments in Russia’s legislature related to Federal Law No 186614-6 and remains actively engaged with the Russian government.  We are concerned by measures in the bill, approved by the Russian Duma with overwhelming support today, that ban the adoption of Russian children by U.S. families.  In order for this legislation to become law it requires approval by the Federation Council (the upper house of the Russian Parliament), and the signature of President Vladimir Putin.  The Department has expressed concern to the Russian government that, if signed into law, this legislation will needlessly remove the path to families for hundreds of Russian children each year.  To view the public statements by Ambassador Michael McFaul and the Department of State’s Spokesman on Federal Law No 186614-6, please visit the U.S. Embassy in Moscow’s website at: http://moscow.usembassy.gov/ and www.state.gov.

The Department of State has not received any notice that adoptions to the United States are suspended, and both the Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services continue to work closely with Russian authorities on intercountry adoption issues as set forth in the U.S.-Russia adoption agreement.  The United States is committed to upholding the provisions of the agreement negotiated between the U.S. and Russian governments, to strengthen procedural safeguards in the adoption process.

Information regarding the passage of any legislation that affects U.S. citizens who are in the process of adopting a child from Russia will be posted on www.adoption.state.gov as it becomes available.

http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_alerts_notices.php?alert_notice_type=alerts&alert_notice_file=russia_4

People for Ethical Adoption Reform
www.pear-now.org