The U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia is pleased to report that the judicial strike that had been impeding intercountry adoptions in Colombia has been resolved and normal adoption processing has resumed. Prospective adoptive parents may proceed with their adoption plans in Colombia.
Joint Council reports that USCIS has announced a very positive ruling concerning the I-600A process
In summary, it is their understanding that, effective immediately, families who filed Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition, prior to April 1, 2008 and whose USCIS approval of that petition (aka the I-171H) has not expired, will be able to proceed with their adoption under the I-600A process if they take certain steps while their approval remain valid. This means that families with valid Form I-600A approvals will not be required to transition to The Hague process via Form I-800A. In order to maintain their status as ‘grandfathered’ cases, families with non-expired Form I-600A approvals must request a one-time free extension. Then, prior to the expiration of the one-time free extension, families must file a new Form I-600A and pay the appropriate fee.
Families with a Form I-600A approval that has expired and who have not obtained an extension or filed a new Form I-600A, will need to undertake the Hague process. The Hague process will also apply to any petitioner who has not completed their adoption by 2014.
Joint Council notes that their interpretation of the ruling is offered as a courtesy only and should not be used in making determinations or decisions. Please refer to the full text of the announcements made by USCIS and can be found at USCIS ANNOUNCEMENTS and USCIS Q&A when making decisions.
Remember November is National Adoption Month and that is just around the corner, the best way to “celebrate” adoption is by getting more involved with your adoption agency and/or by continuing your adoption education. Please consider attending one or more of the adoption conferences below. These conferences are for people interested in considering adoption, those who are waiting to adopt and for those experienced adoptive parents.
Monday, November 3, 7:00 pm: Adoptive Families of the Capital Region’s 13th Annual Adoption Fair. Marriott Hotel, 189 Wolf Rd., Albany, NY. http://timesunion.memlink.com/default.aspx
Saturday, November 8, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm: Adoption Resource Network 17th Annual Conference: The Changing World of Adoption, Bay Trail Middle School, 1760 Scribner Road, Penfield, NY 14526. http://www.hillside.com/Services/Adoption/conference.htm
Sunday, November 23, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm: The 28th Annual ADOPTIVE PARENTS COMMITTEE(APC) Adoption Conference: Adoption… Where The Joy Begins. Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue at East 70th Street, New York City, New York. http://www.adoptiveparents.org/
This change does not cover I-600/A filings.
Adoption STAR, Inc. A NYS authorized non-profit adoption agency and Hague accredited adoption service provider.
Adoption STAR, Inc. Is pleased to announce the opening of 4 new international adoption programs in:
Hungary, Bulgaria, Haiti and Jamaica
Interested parties should contact them directly at
Adoption STAR, Inc. 47 Plaza Drive Williamsville, NY 14221
Main Office 716-639-3900
Website www.adoptionstar.com
New Forms and Centralized Review for Intercountry Adoptions
Background
The Hague Adoption Convention is a treaty, which enters into force with respect to the United States on April 1, 2008. The Hague Adoption Convention strengthens protections for children, birthparents and prospective adoptive parent(s), and establishes internationally agreed upon rules and procedures for adoptions between countries that have a treaty relationship under the Hague Adoption Convention (Convention countries). It ultimately provides a framework for member countries to work together to ensure that children are provided with permanent, loving homes, that adoptions take place in the best interests of a child, and that the abduction, sale or traffic in children is prevented.
Forms I-800A and I-800
Two new USCIS forms are introduced for use in a Hague Adoption Convention adoption: Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country, and Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative. These forms and the instructions to the forms are available on the Internet at www.uscis.gov.
A prospective adoptive parent files Form I-800A to initiate the immigration process when the prospective adoptive parent is a U.S. citizen and intends to adopt a child who habitually resides in a Hague Adoption Convention country. Form I-800A and supporting evidence are required for USCIS to determine the eligibility and suitability of the prospective adoptive parent(s) to adopt a Convention child.
After approval of Form I-800A, and after an adoption placement has been proposed, the prospective adoptive parent files Form I-800. In adjudicating the I-800 form, USCIS assesses the eligibility of a child who habitually resides in a Hague Convention country as a Convention adoptee prior to adoption by a U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parent. Form I-800 and supporting evidence are required for USCIS to determine the child’s eligibility for classification as a Convention adoptee.
Centralization
USCIS will launch a new business process to streamline the adjudication of Form I-800A and Form I-800 under the Hague Adoption Convention. Effective April 1, 2008, USCIS will establish a special unit that will process all Hague intercountry adoption applications and petitions at the USCIS National Benefits Center (NBC). This special unit will also provide customer service support to prospective adoptive parents who have filed Form I-800A or Form I-800. The new centralized business process does not apply to Form I-600A, Application for
February 29, 2008 Office of Communications
Advance Processing of Orphan Petition, or Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative.
General Filing Instructions
Form I-800A: On April 1, 2008, there will be an interim filing procedure in anticipation of a future direct mail program. In late 2008, USCIS will announce the effective date and mailing address for the future direct mail program. Until that time, the following filing instructions should be followed:
If the child being adopted is from a non-Convention country, then the Hague Convention does not apply to the case. The adoption will therefore be processed under existing U.S. immigration regulations governing orphan adoptions.
Prospective adoptive parent(s) who file Form I-600A or Form I-600 prior to April 1, 2008, may continue to process their adoptions under the current orphan regulations, if the laws of the country of the child’s origin allow for continuation under the orphan regulations. Note that some countries may require processing under Hague Adoption Convention rules regardless of when processing with USCIS was initiated. In such cases, the adoption needs to be processed under the new Hague Adoption Convention procedures.
Leslie came to do our home study very early on in our adoption journey and we knew we had made a new friend. We are greatful for having her help during the entire process. She was a huge support to us both professionally and as an adoptive mother. Even though our adoption is now complete, Leslie is always there to answer any new parent questions or just be happy for us. She is a huge source of strength and knowledge about all aspects of adoption and parenting.
Kim and Mike