[toddlernred]

My husband and I are looking to adopt. I was wondering if it is at all possible to adopt from Mexico. We currently live only 45 minutes from Mexico and have personally seen the orphans on the streets.

I was wondering if anyone has a name of a good agency to find information out with.

Please PM me if you know any information about adopting from Mexico or know of an agency...

Angie

[sak9645]

Unfortunately, while the need is great, adoption from Mexico is not easy.

First off, each Mexican state, and sometimes each jurisdiction within a state, has have its own rules. And sometimes, the rules seem to change frequently. Many good agencies find it very difficult to operate in Mexico for this reason.

Second, there is, alas, a high degree of official corruption in some jurisdictions. Good agencies don't want to have to give bribes in order to expedite the adoption process.

Third, there are a lot of shady characters involved in placing children from Mexico. Buying and stealing children, misrepresenting children as healthy when they have profound special needs, and other illegal and unethical practices are not uncommon. Good agencies don't like to work in such an environment, especially if they cannot find a local representative who is beyond reproach.

Fourth, the American authorities, sensitized by all of the shady dealings, sometimes investigate every adoption so aggressively that delays and hassles are all too commonplace.

Fifth, and very important, most Mexican adoption laws include a provision letting judges demand that the child live with his/her adoptive parents in the country for six months. While many judges will, in fact, waive the residency period, there is no guarantee. Not many American families can afford to spend six months living in Mexico, before bringing their children home.

That being said, I know of two very reputable American agencies with pilot programs in Mexico right now. The Joint Council on International Children's Services also mentions, on its website, two other agencies that currently work in Mexico, and I suspect that they are highly reputable, as well. I will be happy to PM you with the names, if you wish.

In short, there are many countries where the number of children in need of permanent loving families is enormous, but where adoption is either not feasible or very difficult.

I guess that the bottom line is that adoption from Mexico is feasible, but not easy, and that you should consider working only with agencies (or other providers) that have a long history of ethical practice and an outstanding reputation. Just because someone advertises on the Internet and has a nice looking website does NOT mean that he/she is ethical. Otherwise, you could wind up losing your heart -- and your money.

Sharon

[vivismom]

I am also interested in adopting from Mexico. My husband is from DF and his family all still lives there. ALso since we speak SPanish at home and travel to Mexico a couple of times a year to visit relatives, it seems so fitting to adopt a child from Mexico to be able to share their culture with them.

On a post one time someone said it was easier to go through the "birth mother" route. Does that mean NOT using an agency and just "finding" a birthmother? How does one go about that?

Any information would be wonderful...

[singlewan2bmom]

Hi, I'm currently in the process of adopting a baby from Mexico, Baja California thru a facilitator in California. She works exclusively with an Atty from Tijuana...which I'm not really very fond of BUT, I'm hoping with the Lords help, she will be able to get be thru the Mexican hoops..DIF etc. There is an atty that posts regularly here, SSVS , he has posted alot of good information, unfotunately I found out about him after I had already signed a contract with UFS... Good Luck!

[singlewan2bmom]

[Edited To Remove Agency/Facilitator/fee based services Recommendations or comments]

Please remember that comments about agencies or other fee based services made after 2/10/2004 MUST be made via Private Message.

[thesojourners]

two years ago. It is not for the faint of heart -- and we live in Mexico! I would recommend that you use an agency or adopt from a different country.

That said, you can theoretically adopt through the DIF in Mexico (their branch of child & family services). However, the rules for each Mexican state are different, and the official rules for the country indicate they prefer to place healthy newborns with Mexican families. There are long waiting lists of MEXICAN families who want to adopt babies here.

If you want to adopt an older child, or one with special needs, that is "sometimes" easier. However, from watching several other adoptions in my area, it is safe to say that the rules seem to change each time an adoption occurs . . . and you will face a lot of obtacles.

If you are extremely tenacious, speak Spanish, have good contacts within in the country, consult a US Immigration attorney as part of the process, and are willing to tackle every obstacle . . . you might just succeed. And it is worth every bit of effort!

But, personally, I recommend that you pick an agency that will help you with the process.

It is so sad, because the orphanages are full of kids that are not legally freed for adoptive homes. They are growing up in the orphanages and there is no way out for them.