Category: Bans/Suspensions/ Moratoriums

Child predators: Even compared to recent scandals in children’s homes, allegations of abuse at Bal Mandir are shocking (Nepali Times)

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Child predators: Even compared to recent scandals in children’s homes, allegations of abuse at Bal Mandir are shockingNepali Times 4-10 July 2014 Sunir Pandey When Sarah Robinson first came to Nepal with her son and niece in 2009, she took time out from sightseeing to visit Bal Mandir in Naxal. At the squalid state-run orphanage, Sarah’s niece happened to pick up …

DOS Alert: Congolese Authorities Confirm the Suspension on Exit Permit Issuances Continues and Advise of Delays in Processing Grandfathered Cases

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On December 19, the Congolese Minister of Justice, Minister of Interior and Security, and the General Direction of Migration (DGM) confirmed to members of the diplomatic corps, including the U.S. Ambassador, that the current suspension on the issuance of exit permits continues. This announcement confirmed information reported in the Department of State’sOctober 23 adoption alert regarding the suspension of issuance of …

DOS Alert: Democratic Republic of the Congo Authorities Announce Changes to Suspension Exceptions and New Prohibition on Adoptions by Single Parents

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October 23, 2013:  Changes to limited exceptions to suspension on exit permit issuances:  On October 22, the Congolese Ministry of Interior and Security, General Direction of Migration (DGM) clarified limited exceptions to the suspension of exit permit issuance referred to in the Department of State’s October 8 adoption notice. The DGM will issue exit permits to adopted Congolese children whose adoptions …

DOS Alert: Guidance on Processing of Emergency Adoption Cases during Ghana’s Suspension

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October 15, 2013:  On April 30, 2013, the Government of Ghana suspended processing of all adoption cases, including intercountry adoptions, pending Ghana’s review of its current adoption procedures.  This alert provides additional information on how the Ghanaian Department of Social Welfare (DSW) is implementing the suspension and how the suspension impacts processing of related Forms I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as …

DoS Notice: The Hague Adoption Convention Enters into Force for Swaziland

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On July 1, 2013 the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Convention) entered into force for the Kingdom of Swaziland. However, the Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland verbally notified the U.S. Embassy in Mbabane that the current suspension on intercountry adoptions will remain in effect until the country has fully implemented the Convention. The …

DoS Alert: Colombia Moratorium Update

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The Colombian Institute for Family Welfare (ICBF) formally announced several important changes in Colombia’s management of intercountry adoptions. Beginning July 15, 2013, ICBF will no longer accept new intercountry adoption applications from non-Colombian citizens living abroad interested in adopting a child under 6 years and 11 months old, unless ICBF considers the child to have special characteristics or needs.  Families …

DOS Alert: Government of Ghana Suspends Intercountry Adoptions

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Alert: Government of Ghana Suspends Intercountry Adoptions May 13, 2013 The Government of Ghana has temporarily suspended processing of all adoption cases, including intercountry adoptions, pending Ghana’s review of its current adoption procedures. The U.S. Embassy in Accra is seeking further clarification of the scope and duration of this temporary suspension by the Government of Ghana and how this suspension …

Department of State Alert: Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Alert: Democratic Republic of the Congo Immigration Authorities Suspend Issuance of Exit Permits to Adoptees May 2, 2013 Democratic Republic of Congo On April 29, the Congolese Ministry of Interior and Security, General Direction of Migration (Direction Generale d’Immigration, DGM) informed the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa that the DGM has temporarily suspended issuance of exit permits to adopted Congolese children …

DOS Adoption Notice: India Partially Lifts Suspension on Acceptance of New Adoption Applications

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India   March 28, 2013 India Partially Lifts Suspension on Acceptance of New Adoption Applications This Adoption Notice is a follow up to the Notice of November 30, 2012. The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) informed us that it is accepting new applications for intercountry adoptions from prospective adoptive parents in foreign countries, including the United States, seeking to adopt …

DOS Adoption Notice: Adoptions from Lesotho to Begin Under the Hague Adoption Convention

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Lesotho   March 1, 2013 Notice: Adoptions from Lesotho to Begin Under the Hague Adoption Convention The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Convention) entered into force for Lesotho on December 1, 2012. At that time, Lesotho did not yet have a fully functional Convention process in place and elected to suspend intercountry …