DOS: Adoption Alert Guatemala Update

Guatemala Adoption AlertU.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATEBureau of Consular AffairsOffice of Children’s Issues Hogar Listserv UpdatesThe 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 awaiting intercountry adoptions. If you received this e-mail in error and do not wish to receive future updates …

PEAR’s Response to “The Baby Business”

The Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism asked a number of experts, practitioners, and advocates in international adoption to respond to “The Baby Business,” Democracy Journal, Summer 2010 by E. J. Graff. You may read all the responses . This is PEAR’s response: It is an unfortunate truth that international adoption is plagued by corruption. We appreciate E.J. Graff’s coverage of …

Media: From Guatemala to Ethiopia

From Guatemala to Ethiopia: Shifts in Intercountry Adoption Leaves Ethiopia Vulnerable for Child Sales and Other Unethical Practices Socmag (SW&SNetwork)June 8, 2010 Karen Smith Rotabi, Richmond, Virginia (USA)Excerpt, see full article: http://www.socmag.net/?p=615 “Ethiopia is estimated to have one of the largest populations of “orphaned” children in the world. Most recent statistics place that number at approximately five million (Ethiopian Ministry …

MEDIA: Guatemala – Foreign Adoptions are Back

GUATEMALAForeign Adoptions Are Back – Along with the DoubtsBy Danilo ValladaresGUATEMALA CITY, May 10, 2010 (IPS) – The reopening of international adoptions in Guatemala in June might not only mean the chance of a better life for many children, but may also spell a return to corruption, fraud and the theft of babies, human rights groups warn. A number 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 …

Attorney Susana Luarca Arrested in Guatemala

Susana Luarca, aka María de la Asunción Loarca Saracho, an attorney who assisted numerous intercountry adoptions from Guatemala was arrested yesterday in Guatemala and charged with trafficking, adoption abnormalities, and falsification of documents in connection with adoptions she handled for foreign families. The following article explains the charges and circumstances surrounding the arrest: TRIBUNALES: Se le acusa de trata de …

UPDATE: Guatemala Pilot Program

Over the past few days both JCICS and Ethica came out with statements confirming that the U.S. Department of State submitted a letter of interest to the Guatemalan government regarding participation in the pilot program announced by the Central Authority of Guatemala. This morning, PEAR received an adoption alert from the DOS confirming that the DOS submitted a letter of …

PEAR Questions to US Department of State

PEAR has asked the following questions to Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Janice L. Jacobs during the Ask the State Department Celebrate National Adoption Month open questioning period that ends November 30. The State Department will be selecting questions and answering them on their website in December. 1. How can China be considered “Hague-compliant” with open trafficking rampant enough for …

UPDATE to DOS Adoption Alert Guatemala

On October 15, 2009, the DOS published the following Addendum/Update to their Adoption Alert on Guatemala: Notice for Guatemala “Other Pending” Adoption Cases The following are brief updates on issues or related developments on pending non-hogar adoption cases. *The Embassy continues to approve an average of 4-6 visa applications of completed adoption cases per week. Consular officers and the U.S. …