[TRBenson]

An opportunity has presented itself to our family, and we need to know what's expected to happen with the state of Guatemalan adoptions in 2007. I know there's a big thread about it, but truthfully, I can't keep it all straight!

Can anyone take a second and give me the condensed version?

Thank you, thank you!

[wvamom]

Okay, here's a very unofficial version:
The US is set to sign the Hague sometime in 2007. At that point all international adoptions from countries signing onto the treaty must comply with certain requirements, including a central government authority supervising adoptions.

The latest indication from the Department of State is that prospective adoptive parents who have filed their I-600a will be "grandfathered" in under the old system. That would take care of the existing cases, from the US standpoint.

However, there have recently been some "scares" from the Guatemala side, the most notable being an order signed by President Oscar Berger which would have stopped all adoptions while the Hague was implemented. However, it appears that our DOS may have intervened to stop this from happening.

The long and short of it is, while we have some certainty on the US side of things, the Guatemala side is much less certain.

Hope this helps!
Carolyn

[becky]

There is tremendous pressure from the US for the Guatemalan government to implement some type of system that will be considered "Hague Compliant". Unfortunately, most of the systems being considered are similar to the old Berger/Ortega laws that would in essence stop adoptions from the Guatemalan side.

So...while you may make in on the 'US side" by filing an I600A...there is nothing to say that Guatemala won't do something that stops or slows adoptions prior to the US implementation of the Hague.

I think if you can really hurry and ger your case going you will probably be O.K....but hurry is the key word here!

[riptune2]

Does this mean that Myra and Vincent is going to have another Brother or Sister??!!

Shannon

[TRBenson]

Thank you all for your responses!! This helps a lot. If anyone has another 2 cents to add, feel free!

Becky,
When you say that a family will have had to filed their I-600A, do you interpret that to mean actually have their 171-h back, or just have submitted the I-600A application, done fingerprints, paid the fees, etc?

Shannon,
Yes, there might be an unexpected addition to the Benson family! Not for certain yet though. ps- I never got the email pic of your little one.

[becky]

The US has said a "filed" I600A...meaning that the office shows having received it. But as I said, a much bigger threat is on the Guatemalan end. If they decide to enact new legislation, then it will not matter one bit what the US says....

[tricecm]

Tammy! How exciting! Please keep us posted!

[Paparama]

To add to Becky's well-placed points: There are efforts to draft Hague-compliant legislation that would retain most of the current system's architecture while providing much more comprehensive regulation and oversight and adding much needed transparency to the process, especially at the birth mother consent stage.

It should be noted that DOS is not eager to shut adoptions from Guatemala down. DOS is exerting pressure because Guatemala is not currently Hague-compliant; that is, DOS is only exerting pressure so that Guatemala can remain an option for U.S. adopting families after the Hague is implemented in the U.S.

Yes, this is a "crisis." But it is also a great opportunity for meaningful reform in areas that have long needed to be reformed. One hopes that the stakeholders will set aside long-standing hostility, suppress their egos, and sit down at the table together to find workable solutions.