Research: Rules on The Hague and the Intercountry Adoption Act:

The following research into the Hague Final Rules process emphasizes the value of speaking up and commenting on adoption law and policy. Rules on The Hague and the Intercountry Adoption Act: Public Comments and the State’s Responsiveness, Journal of Policy Practice Volume 10, Issue 1, 2011, Pages 35 – 50 Authors: Jo Daugherty Baileya; M. Elena DelavegaaDOI: 10.1080/15588742.2010.521920 Abstract We …

Orphaned or Stolen? The U.S. State Department investigates adoption from Nepal, 2006-2008 (The Huffington Post)

by EJ GraffSchuster Institute for Investigative Journalism at Brandeis University Posted: February 18, 2011Updated: February 23, 2011 Exclusive State Department internal cablesfrom Freedom of Information Act requests Children abducted from their families for international adoption, so that middlemen could profit from Westerners’ cash. Families that left their babies temporarily with a child welfare center during times of illness or financial …

Lesotho NoticeU.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATEBureau of Consular AffairsOffice of Children’s Issues Change in Processing Timeline for Adoption Cases in Lesotho February 17, 2011 The U.S. Embassy in Maseru, Lesotho wishes to advise adoptive parents of procedural changes that may increase the processing time for some adoption cases. Adoptive parents and adoption service providers should be aware that consular officers are …

DOS Adoption Alert: Kenya

Adoption NoticeU.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATEBureau of Consular AffairsOffice of Children’s Issues Adoption Moratorium Lifted February 10, 2011 Kenya and the United States are party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (“Hague”). As such, all adoptions between Kenya and the United States initiated after April 1, 2008, must meet the requirements of …

UPDATE: Guatemala – DOS Adoption Alert

Guatemala Adoption Alert U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATEBureau of Consular AffairsOffice of Children’s Issues Hogar Listserve Updates The Office of Children’s Issues provides regular updates to families and adoption service providers specifically affected by legal actions taken regarding hogares or child care centers for children in Guatemala awaiting international adoptions. If you received this e-mail in error and do not wish …

UPDATE: Hague Accredited Agencies

The following agencies received Hague accreditation between October 1, 2009 and March 1, 2010: Adoption Alliance2121 S. Oneida Street #420Denver, CO 80224Accredited 02/04/2010 to 02/04/2014 Adoption Hope International284 Shoreward DriveMyrtle Beach, SC 29579Accredited 10/20/2009 to 10/29/2013 Catholic Charities North Dakota5201 Bishops Boulevard, Suite BFargo, ND 58104-7605Accredited 1/15/2010 to 1/15/2014 Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago721 N. LaSalleChicago, IL 6061Accredited …

UPDATE: Haiti February 24 Teleconference

Haiti Teleconference-February 24, 2010 PEAR was in attendance for the first hour of the teleconference. The first 30 minutes were updates on • This past weekend’s delay of 6 children• Establishment of commercial flights to Haiti• US Embassy hours of operation in Port Au Prince• Information on the next steps for regularizing immigration status of children who were granted Humanitarian …

UPDATE: Haiti Teleconference

Today PEAR took part in the first hour of a teleconference with USCIS International Operations Division, DHS, DOS and other government agencies to discuss the ongoing process of bringing children into the US on Humanitarian Parole visas. The primary discussion was effect that resumption of commercial flights will have on getting HP children to the US. Once commercial flights resume …

PEAR’s Summary of the Teleconference of DHS, USCIS and HHS regarding Haitian Adoptions Status of February 3, 2010

The following is a summary of the teleconference of DHS, USCIS and HHS regarding Haitian Adoptions Status of February 3, 2010 from 3:00 pm to 4:45pm Families and concerned individuals are advised not to send emails urging quick processing etc. It will clog the email box. Statistics- 750 cases approved; 600 children already in US of approximately 1000 cases US …

Important Information from Haiti Stakeholders Conference Call

A two-hour conference call was held on Tuesday January 26th among USCIS, DHS, DOS and prospective adoptive parents and adoptive parents. Shortly after the earthquake, the movement of already identified and matched orphans was proposed by the US and quickly accepted by the Haitian government. The Dutch and German governments also made proposals that were accepted early on. The Government …