Friday, March 28, 2014

DoS Adoption Alert: International Families, Inc. Hague Accreditation canceled


March 28, 2014
On March 27, 2014, the Council on Accreditation (COA) canceled the Hague accreditation of International Families, Inc. for failing to maintain substantial compliance with the U.S. accreditation standards at 22 Code of Federal Regulations Part 96 Subpart F. Prior to this date, International Families, Inc. was a Hague accredited adoption service provider authorized to operate in both Hague and non-Hague countries.
As a result of this cancellation, International Families, Inc. must cease to provide all adoption services in connection with cases covered under the Hague Adoption Convention. This adoption service provider currently operates in India and China. Please note that this cancellation will not affect International Families, Inc.’s ability to work in non-Convention countries until the entry into effect of the Universal Accreditation Act on July 14, 2014. Persons with an open case with International Families, Inc. may contact the adoption service provider directly to find out whether and how the cancellation affects your adoption services. 
The cancellation of accreditation for International Families, Inc. is effective on March 27, 2014. International Families, Inc. may submit a petition within 10 days of the cancellation if it wishes to challenge the cancellation as unwarranted. Updated information will be provided on the adoption.state.gov website as appropriate.


Ethics, Transparency, Support
~ What All Adoptions Deserve.
http://www.pear-now.org/

Thursday, March 27, 2014

DOS Notice: Adoptions from Haiti to Begin Under the Hague Adoption Convention on April 1, 2014


On April 1, 2014, the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Convention) will enter into force in Haiti.  The United States will be able to process Convention intercountry adoptions from Haiti that are initiated on or after April 1, 2014.  However, please note that delays may occur while Haiti’s adoption authority, the Institut du Bien-Être Social et de Recherches (IBESR), implements a Convention-consistent adoption process, including finalizing the schedule of in-country fees. 
The Government of Haiti has authorized a limited number of U.S. adoption service providers (ASPs) to provide adoption services in Haiti.  However, they may further reduce these numbers to help manage their caseload.  IBESR may revoke the authorization of ASPs that are not currently providing adoption services in Haiti, which could potentially allow those who remain to process a greater number of cases.  ASPs concerned about their authorization status and those interested in seeking authorization may contact IBESR for more information.
In its March 2014 letter, IBESR agreed to process as a transition case, any case in which a Form I-600 or I-600A was filed before April 1, 2014, as long matching occurs by April 1, 2016 and no I-600A extension is required.  We will provide additional information if it becomes available and is confirmed.  Questions about the transition process, and Form I-600A, and Form I-800A filings should be directed to USCIS.    
If you have any questions about this notice, please contact the Office of Children’s Issues at 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or 202-501-4444 from outside the United States.  Email inquiries may be directed to Haitiadoptions@state.gov.
http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_alerts_notices.php?alert_notice_type=notices&alert_notice_file=haiti_5


Ethics, Transparency, Support
~ What All Adoptions Deserve.
http://www.pear-now.org/

Friday, March 21, 2014

International Adoption Status in Crimea


Given recent events in Ukraine, many parents are understandably concerned about the status of their adoptions from children in the Crimea region of the country.  According to Ambassador Susan Jacobs, the United States Embassy in Kiev is working directly with a number of parents whose adoptions have been affected by this volatile situation.  The Embassy is also working directly with the Ukrainian government to determine how these political changes will impact in-process adoptions.  Because Ukraine is not a signatory to the Convention, the Hague Process does not apply to Ukrainian adoptions.

The Department of State has not yet issued an update on Ukrainian adoptions as it relates to Crimea.  In an email to PEAR, Ambassador Jacobs stated that they will "continue to update as we learn more about how the cases will proceed."  The latest updates on adoptions in Ukraine can be found at http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=ukraine.  


Ethics, Transparency, Support
~ What All Adoptions Deserve.
http://www.pear-now.org/

Saturday, March 8, 2014

DOS Notice: Authorization of Adoption Service Providers in Croatia


March 7, 2014
                            
The U.S. Embassy in Zagreb has received reports that prospective adoptive parents are receiving misleading information about which children are eligible for intercountry adoption and who is authorized to provide adoption services in Croatia from individuals representing themselves as authorized service providers. The Ministry of Social Policy and Youth (Ministry), which is the Croatian Central Authority has confirmed that it has not authorized any adoption service providers to provide intercountry adoption services in Croatia.
U.S. prospective adoptive parents and adoption service providers are reminded that adoption services in Croatia can only be completed through direct contact with the Ministry.  Please note that all questions about the applicable laws and procedures for intercountry adoptions from Croatia should be directed to the Ministry.
Contact information for the Ministry is listed below:
The Ministry of Social Policy and Youth
Savska cesta 66,
10 000 Zagreb
Croatia
Tel:  +385 1 555 7111
Internet:  
mspm.hr/
The Department of State will provide updated information on adoption.state.gov as it becomes available.  If you have any questions about this notice, please contact the Office of Children’s Issues at 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or 202-501-4444 from outside the United States.  Email inquiries may be directed to AskCI@state.gov

Ethics, Transparency, Support
~ What All Adoptions Deserve.
http://www.pear-now.org/