Democratic Republic of Congo February 7, 2013 Notice: Changes at Embassy Kinshasa for adoption-related immigrant visa processing Due to the increase in the volume of intercountry adoptions from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by U.S. citizen families, U.S. Embassy Kinshasa announces several changes to its procedures for adoption related immigrant visa processing. On January 31, 2013, Embassy Kinshasa …
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DOS Adoption Notice: Adoption Notice for Nigeria
Nigeria January 29, 2013 Notice: Adoption Notice for Nigeria Adoption and guardianship decrees from Nigerian states that lack adoption laws, and adoptions by persons of non-Nigerian heritage, may not be allowable under Nigerian law or acceptable for purposes of U.S. immigration. The Department of State is aware of instances in which U.S. citizens have sought or are seeking to …
DOS Adoption Notice: Notes from Ambassador Jacobs’ Meeting with Adoption Service Providers on December 11, 2012 in Addis Ababa
Ethiopia January 25, 2013 Notice: Notes from Ambassador Jacobs’ Meeting with Adoption Service Providers on December 11, 2012 in Addis Ababa During a visit to Addis Ababa from December 8-11, 2012, Ambassador Susan Jacobs, Special Advisor for Children’s Issues, met with the staff of U.S.-based Adoption Service Providers (ASPs). The Office of Children’s Issues posts this notice to provide interested …
DOS Notice: Korea Begins Implementing Special Adoption Act
South Korea January 25, 2013 Notice: Korea Begins Implementing Special Adoption Act On August 5, 2012, the Republic of Korea (ROK) Special Adoption Act, which governs intercountry adoptions from South Korea, went into effect. This law prioritizes domestic adoptions and endeavors to reduce the number of South Korean children adopted abroad. Under the Special Adoption Act, each intercountry adoption requires …
DOS Alert: Russian Supreme Court Letter on Implementation of Federal Law No. 272-FZ
Russia January 24, 2013 Alert: Russian Supreme Court Letter on Implementation of Federal Law No. 272-FZ On December 28, 2012, President Vladimir Putin signed into law Federal Law No. 272-FZ. This law went into effect on January 1, 2013. It bans the adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens, bars adoption service providers from assisting U.S. citizens in adopting Russian …
FY 2012 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption
DOS released the FY 2012 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption on its website today: http://adoption.state.gov/ Ethics, Transparency, Support~ What All Adoptions Deserve.http://www.pear-now.org/ People for Ethical Adoption Reform www.pear-now.org
The Supreme Court of Russia Letter of Guidance on Adoptions Pending 30 Day Appeal Period
The Supreme Court of Russia Letter of 1/22/13 Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court January 22, 2013 No. 7-VS-224/13 To Chairmen of the Supreme Courtsof the subjects of the Federation,City courts of Moscow and St. Petersburg, Autonomous districts and autonomous oblast,district (navy) courts The judicial collegiums on administrative affairs and civil affairs have discussed the issue on the implementation by …
Cautionary Statement for Families In Process of Adopting from Russia
PEAR has become aware of possible scams and exploitative practices being aimed at families currently in the process of adopting from Russia. We would like to take this opportunity to encourage those caught in the adoption ban to proceed with caution, and to thoroughly investigate any individual or organization offering assistance. Of special concern are individuals and organizations offering private …
Special Appeal: Sponsorship of Panel Speaker at Pepperdine
Pepperdine University School of Law is holding a conference February 8 – 9, 2013 entitled “Intercountry Adoption: Orphan Rescue or Child Trafficking?” One of the invited panel speakers is Mark Riley, Alternative Care Consultant and Child Advocate at The Alternative Care Initiative. Mark is an international adoptive parent who has been an outspoken critic of unethical international adoption practices. He …
Universal Accreditation Act Becomes Law
President Obama signed the Intercountry adoption Universal Accreditation Act on January 14, 2013. The DOS published the following Announcement on the Universal Accreditation Act: On January 14, 2013, the President signed The Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 (UAA), one of the last bills passed in the final days of the 112th Congress. The effective date of the …