Due to the following timeline of events in 2009, we urge caution on beginning an Ethiopian adoption. Furthermore, we recommend that prospective adoptive parents work with agencies that have programs in other countries as a contingency plan should Ethiopia slow down considerably or shut down. It is important to mention that many agencies who currently are working in Ethiopia are …
Month: December 2009
Australia continues suspension of Ethiopia adoptions until early 2010
December 28, 2009“The Australian Government has suspended all child adoptions from Ethiopia over fears that it could be breaking human rights laws against child trafficking”http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/28/2781307.htm More information can be found at the Australian Government Attorney-General Department’s website: http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/IntercountryAdoption_WhatsNew_WhatNew#visit“Ethiopia-Australia Program–Possible delegation visit to Ethiopia–18 December 2009 As the Department’s review of the Ethiopia program has progressed, it has become apparent that …
Scientific American December 18, 2009 article
PEAR would like to share an interpretation of a recently released study. We applaud all efforts to study foster and orphanage populations, but wish to caution the adoptive community on making conclusions without understanding the basis of the study, populations and methods used. Scientific American published a report called Orphanages Rival Foster Homes for Quality Child Care http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=orphanages-rival-homes on December …
HIV testing will not be required for obtaining visa for international adoptees
The US Department of State issued an adoption notice on December 22, 2009.http://adoption.state.gov/news/removal_of_HIV_from_list.html This Final CDC rule is effective January 4, 2010. The full text can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/laws_regs/fed_reg/remove-hiv/full-version-final-rule.html The CDC decision is based on the following “While HIV infection is a serious health condition, it is not a communicable disease that is a significant public health risk for …
China announcement — CCAA
The following Announcement was made by the CCAA on December 22, 2009: Date of Release: December 22, 2009 Source:CCAA To relevant government departments and adoption agencies in receiving countries,Since China began working with relevant countries in inter-country adoption, the cooperation has been smooth and tens of thousands of Chinese children have been adopted by foreign families. The majority of them …
DOS Adoption Alert – Cambodia
Adoption Notice: Cambodia The following email Alert was sent out by the DOS this morning: December 24, 2009 On December 3, 2009, a new law on intercountry adoption was signed by the King of the Government of Cambodia. The new law seeks to create a country-wide comprehensive child welfare system and an intercountry adoption process in compliance with the Hague …
US Embassy in Moscow Holiday Closure Schedule for 2010
The US Embassy in Moscow will be closed on the following dates in 2010. Please take note of the dates when planning travel and visa scheduling for Russian adoptions. **The “bridge” holiday on November 5 is only tentative; please confirm this holiday with the Embassy. January 1 Friday US/R New Year’s DayJanuary 4 Monday R New Year’s DayJanuary 5 Tuesday …
MEDIA: Minnesota couple caught up in apparent adoption fraud
For many years, Rajeev Agarwal handled Indian & Nepali adoptions for Crossroads. More recently, he has been working for International Family Services (a Texas agency). PEAR NEPAL Minnesota couple caught up in apparent adoption fraud: http://www.startribune.com/local/79730522.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUsZ A Minnesota couple were excited to become parents of sisters from India — until they made a shocking discovery that raises questions about the …
DOS Releases Official Adoption Statistics for FY 2009
Notice: Visa Statistics For Adopted Children Now Available December 18, 2009 “The Office of Children’s Issues in the Bureau of Consular Affairs is pleased to announce that the final statistics on the total number of orphan (IR-3 and IR-4) and Hague Convention (IH-3 and IH-4) visas for children adopted to the United States for Fiscal Year 2009 (October 1, 2008 …
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 …