[Becca B.]

I was reading your response below and I am really wrestling with accepting a referral. I think we should get a referral sometime in April. And I just don't know what to do. I can't imgine saying no. My two concerns are the financial aspect (which I'm going to talk to my agency about) and the other is how long the wait will we have till our little one is home. To me there might be a backlog for quite a while but who knows.

I guess what I was wondering is your opinion on PGN. How far are new cases getting? Are all documents being gathered and that is it? Or are they going to allow them to go to FC, do DNA, etc. but just not enter PGN. I get confused when everyone talks about PGN cause they are involved thoughout the process and not just after FC. So at what point are they being held? Have you heard?

Thanks for any input!!!!
Becca

[becky]

Since my daughter is home and I am not currently in the process I don't have the advantage of having an agency to explain things to me...but from reading various lists and reading posts from agency directors, my understanding is that any case submitted to PGN after March 5th is not be processed until the new rules and regulations are in place. Cases submitted before March 5th are going through, although there seems to be some inconsistencies in what is being asked for, and how quickly the cases are processed.

I would hope and pray that if you are not going to receive a referral until April, that all of this will be settled one way or another. My biggest hope is that the entire thing is declared unconstitutional within the next couple of weeks (but no one knows that for sure!)

Don't give up on your dreams of adoption from Guatemala. As I said yesterday...even if Guatemala slows down a bit the benefits of adopting from this country are fantastic...don't forget all of the reasons you chose it to begin with.

Good Luck,

Becky

[Becca B.]

Thanks Becky-

Here's hoping that the dang thing is ruled unconstitutional and won't have to worry about it. I just keep saying why in the world do they just not continue as normal until they figure all this out.

Like Hanna's post earlier, it is so hard to know what to do. Have longing for a child for so long, I just don't know if I could turn down a referral. I need to talk to my agency about all the financial ramifications.

Thanks again!!
Becca

[tootsi20023]

Hi Becky!

I agree!!!!!!! UNCONSTITUTIONAL 100%%%%%%%%%%

I think I kinda sorta understand what is going on with the situation in Guat., but what instigated the Hague? Did something occur that caused the red flags? I know they signed it a long time ago, but what made them finally decide to implement Hague? I feel I should know this by now.


Michelle

[Mary Mulcahy]

Last summer Guatemala adopted the Hague. At first everyone thought, oh its going to take some time to implement and that could last for years. After all the USA has signed the treaty, but we have never implemented. Most of this whole mess you can blame on UNICEF. Bruce Harris is one of the people from UNICEF who is totally against international adoptions and feels that Guatemala is selling babies ect.. its long and involved but this guy was deeply involved in Guatemala actions. Mr. Harris is also trying to convince some Guatemalan how evil it is for Americans to adopt their children. Until you go through the process, it is impossible to understand how many checks and balances were in and still are in place. Where some adoptions not ethical? I am sure, but that has to be a mininal number. There are many oportunties for the birth mother to change her mind, and DNA, birth mother interviews, INS approval. So for all of you who are longing to bring their babies home or long for a child think twice before you shop at Pier ONE, and give money to UNICE for Halloween ect. THey are supporting Mr. Harris and these actions that are causing some of these problems. Mr. Harris is also being sued in Guatemala because of some of his statements. Even though I have my son home and this is not directly effecting me, I pray that this whole mess is declared illegal in Guatemala. The attorneys are working hard! After all, they were successful in overturning the passport problem that added months on to some adoptions. I'm not sure what I would do if I did not have a referral, but at this point I think I would wait until a court date is set or a little more solid information is available. 6 months is not that long and you may be in the process that long without any new rules or regualtions. I wish you all well and don't give up your dream. Mary, mom to Daniel JOrdan Jose, home December 24, 2002

[tootsi20023]

Thanks so much for the info!!!

Okay...what does UNICEF stand for?

International adoptions unethical????? My god...these children would be on the streets if it wasn't for Americans and other countries adopting these children. That is AMAZING that one would even consider international adoptions to be unethical! That makes me sick to my stomach!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Mary!

Michelle

[Bassette]

The way I understand it, there were some illegal adoptions between guat and countries other than the united states. Most countries do not require the DNA testing, that is something mandated by the US. A mother is tested to prove she is in fact the bio mother, proving a legal right to put the child up for adoption. There were a few, very few ocurrences of babies stolen for adoption.

Sooooo,....although the US has taken measures to insure legal adoptions, other countries have not. The Hague will implement that policy into guatemalan law to protect all parties, and prevent any future cases of babies being adopted on the "black market".

[Mary Mulcahy]

Yes, that is right. There were some problems with countries such as Canada with Guatemalan adoptions. The advantage of the Guatemalan adoptions, foster care instread of orphanages, makes some feel that birth moms are selling the babies. Canada no longer allows adoptions from Guatemala. Implementation of The Hague in such countries as Paraguay (forgive spelling) have been a diaster. UNICEF (I am not sure what the full words are)does some good. They promote child care in developing countries such as immunizations and health care. Mr. Harris is involved and pretty much has set as a goal to shut down Guatemalan adoptions, because his belief is that children needs to stay in their own environment culture. One attorney in Guatemala is sueing him due to his promotion of lies. While it is true, not every child is appropriate for adoption, international adoption can promote family and give to all who participate (parents, child, culture) As an adoptive mother, I promised my son's foster and birth mother to educate him on his birth culture and some day visit his birth land. I hope that my son will be as proud of his Guatemalan culture as he is of his American culture. One way everyone here can help is to instead of giving money to UNICEF or stores that support UNICEF (Pier One, IKEA) give a donation to a hogar or group home to help care for those children who for some reason or anther cannot be adopted. I give to The Prince of Peace Girls Home in Guatemala since they are also providing job training and education for the children that live in the home. E mail address: pophome@itelgua.com There are many more. So while you are waiting, I just gave you some ideas on how to keep busy. I wrote and researched homes in Guatemala and then went a writing campaign against UNICEF and I now boycott PIER ONE. Trust me, they lost a lot of $ from me. There are so many things we can do to make a difference. Lets keep hoping Guatemala revokes the Hague!!!!
A fast and safe adoption journey to all those in the process. Mary
in Illinois.