In response to the recent reports and requests for clarification, the US Department of State published the following statement last night: http://www.adoptions.state.gov/news/moldova.html U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATEBureau of Consular AffairsOffice of Children’s Issues January 30, 2009 Recent media reports that the Government of Moldova is planning toimpose a temporary ban on intercountry adoption appear to beerroneous. According to a Moldovan government …
Author: pear
Liberia, Moldova Halt International Adoptions
The countries of Liberia and Moldova announced bans on international adoptions this week pending invesitgations into allegations of fraud and child mistreatment. The African News reported the following excerpt from the address of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to the National Legislature on Monday, January 26, 2009: “The gross mismanagement of the adoption program (which aims primarily at placing orphans in …
PEAR is a 501(c)(3)
Dear Members, Friends and Supporters, PEAR is pleased to announce that the IRS has officially determined us to be a 501(c)(3) Public Charity. Donations made to PEAR between March 14, 2008, the date of our incorporation in Pennsylvania, and into the future are tax deductible. Please consider making your tax deductible donation to PEAR by December 31, 2008 in order …
DOS Notice on Ukraine
Adoption Notice U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATEBureau of Consular AffairsOffice of Children’s Issues——————————————————————————– December 5, 2008 New Adoption Regulations in Effect On October 8, 2008 the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved Resolution #905, introducing new regulations for adoptions and the protection of the rights of adopted children. This Resolution cancels the previous adoption Resolution #1377. The new regulations went into …
DOS Notice on Sierra Leone: Nov 28, 2008
Sierra LeoneAdoption Notice U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATEBureau of Consular AffairsOffice of Children’s Issues_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ October 28, 2008 U.S. Embassy Offers Orphan First Program Due to the high rate of adoption fraud in Sierra Leone, the U.S. Embassy in Dakar is offering prospective adopting parents the opportunity for a preliminary, unofficial review of a child’s orphan status. Under the “Orphan First” pilot …
PEAR’s Fall Newsletter
Greetings to all of our members, followers, and curious folks wondering what we are up to. Fall Membership Drive Our Fall Membership Drive officially commenced on November 20, 2008. An e-blitz to over 400 online and offline adoption information and support groups was undertaken in an effort to make the adoption community aware of the missions and current projects of …
UPDATE: Call to Action Vietnam – USCIS/DOS Statements
Adoptions from Vietnam to the United States Will Not Resume Without a New Bilateral Agreement – Action Taken to Establish Safeguards that Protect Children and Families WASHINGTON – United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of State (DOS) issued a joint statement with the government of Vietnam announcing that the processing of new adoption cases will not …
USCIS Update on I600a Renewals for Hague Transition Cases
Finally, some good news for Hague Transition applicants! The USCIS published a new FAQ on October 14, 2008 containing an update and reversal of it’s previous stance on I600a renewals for Hague Transition cases. Transition applications will now be fully grandfathered, meaning that families may file one free 18 month extension AND, if their transition adoption has not been completed …
USCIS Posts FAQ on Intercountry Adoption
The USCIS published an updated list of FAQ on Intercountry adoptions dated9/29/08. The New FAQ can be found at: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=0dc16c30c3fac110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/3zr4qb If either link gives you trouble, just go to: http://www.uscis.gov/ and click on “Press Room” in the upper righthand corner. The FAQ address some frequent concerns stated by PAPs in process of adopting from Hague and Non-Hague …
UPDATE on I800a Processing for Hague Convention Cases
Notification of a change in processing for Hague Convention cases was published in the Federal Register on August 26, 2008. The notice regards a change in filing location for I-800A and I800 applications and other related forms for adoptions from Hague Convention countries. Beginning September 25, 2008, all listed forms should be filed with the following USCIS Chicago Lockbox facility …