DOS Alert: Government of Ghana Suspends Intercountry Adoptions

Alert: Government of Ghana Suspends Intercountry Adoptions May 13, 2013 The Government of Ghana has temporarily suspended processing of all adoption cases, including intercountry adoptions, pending Ghana’s review of its current adoption procedures. The U.S. Embassy in Accra is seeking further clarification of the scope and duration of this temporary suspension by the Government of Ghana and how this suspension …

Statement on the Documentary “Stuck”

The Board of Directors of PEAR would like to express some thoughts on the recently released documentary, Stuck, which purports to be an accurate depiction of the current problems with the international adoption process. The documentary shows compelling footage of adorable children in shabby orphanages around the world, and follows the plights of three families with their international adoptions. Stuck …

Department of State Alert: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Alert: Democratic Republic of the Congo Immigration Authorities Suspend Issuance of Exit Permits to Adoptees May 2, 2013 Democratic Republic of Congo On April 29, the Congolese Ministry of Interior and Security, General Direction of Migration (Direction Generale d’Immigration, DGM) informed the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa that the DGM has temporarily suspended issuance of exit permits to adopted Congolese children …

Notice: Malian Law Restricts Intercountry Adoptions

Department of State Notice for Mali Mali  May 1, 2013In December 2011, the Malian National Assembly passed a new Code of Person and the Family.  The Code includes a provision that only Malian citizens will be able to complete intercountry or domestic adoptions from Mali.  In the case of couples planning to adopt, both members of the couple must be …

Department of State Notice for Democratic Republic of Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo April 30, 2013 Notice:  Clarification regarding Embassy Kinshasa adoption-related immigrant visa procedures This notice is intended to clarify the recent procedural changes in processing adoption related immigrant visas and their impact on pending and future adoptions from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).  We appreciate the patience of families and all those involved in adoptions …

DOS Adoption Notice: Adoption Notice for Nigeria

Nigeria   January 29, 2013 Notice: Adoption Notice for Nigeria Adoption and guardianship decrees from Nigerian states that lack adoption laws, and adoptions by persons of non-Nigerian heritage, may not be allowable under Nigerian law or acceptable for purposes of U.S. immigration. The Department of State is aware of instances in which U.S. citizens have sought or are seeking to …

DOS Notice: Korea Begins Implementing Special Adoption Act

South Korea  January 25, 2013 Notice: Korea Begins Implementing Special Adoption Act  On August 5, 2012, the Republic of Korea (ROK) Special Adoption Act, which governs intercountry adoptions from South Korea, went into effect.  This law prioritizes domestic adoptions and endeavors to reduce the number of South Korean children adopted abroad.  Under the Special Adoption Act, each intercountry adoption requires …