Little Miracles Adoption News

Intercountry Adoption Country Alert: Kazakhstan

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 22:27:00 +0000

Adoption Alert – KazakhstanRequest for Post-Adoption Reports by Central Authority of Kazakhstan

July 29, 2015

The Ministry of Education and Science in Kazakhstan has requested the submission of all outstanding post-adoption reports on Kazakhstani children adopted by U.S. families. This includes 237 reports that the Ministry has identified as missing.

We urge families to comply with Kazakhstan's post-adoption requirements as soon as possible. Timely submission of the reports is a central part of our ongoing efforts to resume intercountry adoptions between the United States and Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan requires post-adoption reports detailing the general welfare, education, upbringing, and health of all adopted Kazakhstani children. In accordance with Kazakhstani family law, adoptive parents must provide post-placement reports every six months for the first three years after the adoption is finalized and then once a year until the child is 18 years old.

U.S. adoptive parents of children from Kazakhstan should work with one of the U.S. Adoption Service Providers (ASPs) authorized by Kazakhstan to prepare post adoption reports. They should submit all reports by mail or email to the attention of the Committee for the Protection of Children’s Rights (CPCR), the Kazakhstani Central Authority for the Hague Adoption Convention, at the addresses below:

Embassy of the Republic of KazakhstanVisa and Consular Section

1401 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: (202) 232-5488
Fax: (202) 232-5845
Email: washington@kazakhembus.com
Internet: kazakhembus.com

Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in New York

305 E 47th Street, Third Floor

New York, NY 10017

Tel: (212)888-3024, and (212) 230-1900 ext. 17 or 18
Fax: (212)230-1172Email: kzconsulny@un.int

Internet: kazconsulny.org

For more information about the contents of the reports, please contact the Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan or your ASP.

Getting Started in Adoption in 2015: Teleconference and Introduction!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 01:51:00 +0000

GETTING STARTED IN ADOPTION IN 2015:

LMI TELECONFERENCES!

January, 26, 2015

Visit our website!

The importance of connection

Throughout adoption, connection is a big theme. This includes the research phase of your journey. It is important that you feel comfortable picking up the phone or zipping off an email at any time to your program coordinator, and knowing you'll receive a prompt, honest answer to your questions as you make decisions.

Our Getting Started teleconference on January 27th, 2015 at 7:30pm CST is a chance to connect with agency staff, adoptive parents who have been through the process, and learn about LMI's programs.

Receive Dial-In Information at: info@littlemiracles.org

Petra joins her family

The importance of expectation

We will hold your hand through each step of your adoption, with regular communication and individual calls. You'll participate in education tailored to your family helping you prepare: Sibling preparation, meeting your child, older child adoption, travel, transition, and more. We enjoy an active commitment between our families and our team to join hands with one another and we are joyful with the understanding that there is light at the end of the tunnel!

We're Home!!

The importance of family

This means three things to us:

1. Your family finding the right program (country) fit.

2. Your family with your new child having tools to be successful.

3. Your ability to experience LMI family mentors along the way - families who have adopted and can help you along your journey.

Our philosophy is one of involving the whole family in the adoption process, from start to finish!

Jump In: Help Bring the Children Home from DRC

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 23:56:00 +0000

Legally adopted, not able to come home. Babies, toddlers, and school-aged children, unable to be with their families that love them with every fiber of their being. To anyone involved or touched by this horrible situation, this is daily life, the daily ache of not having a family member home to share life events with.

About two hundred members of the US Congress signed a letter addressed directly to the Senate and the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/?a=Files.Serve&File_id=1ddba82d-6c32-43a5-9a08-18f8180fff63

This direct reach-out to fellow lawmakers in DRC is powerful, and important for all adoptive families. Lawmakers in DRC are a small, elite group in an extraordinarily poor country. However, they ALL have families members and friends studying, living, and working in both Europe and North America. Many have significant business and personal concerns in European countries and the United States. This means relationships with U.S. lawmakers matter both personally and professionally.

Here is the link to locate and contact your lawmakers who signed. http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/

If your Senators or Representative signed it, please call, e-mail, and write with your heartfelt thanks. Substantial work has gone into this effort, and in order to keep attention on this cause, sincerest thanks must be given. These children are stories and faces to them now, and they must remain in the forefront with their assistance.

Free Teleconference: Adopting from Hungary

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:28:00 +0000

FREE TELECONFERENCE: Adopting from Hungary, Wednesday, 11/5/14, 7:30pm CST.

Why Hungary? I think all of our families who have adopted from Hungary would say they cannot picture any program best set up for transitioning a child into the family!

We will discuss: children available, bonding process, exceptional foster care in the country, and parent criteria. This program continues to exceed family expectations - we'd love to share it with you!

Upcoming Teleconference: Adopting the Older Child and Examples of Recent Joys!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 22:02:00 +0000

Join our upcoming teleconference if you are considering adopting an older child (age 5+)
Date: Wednesday, October 29th
Time: 7:30pm CST
To receive dial-in, email info@littlemiracles.org or andrea@littlemiracles.org
We look forward to having you on the call!

We are blessed each year to watch families experience the "firsts" in becoming a family. First smile, first laugh at a family joke, first hug, first "I love you Mommy", first day of school. Except that imagine this child gets it, gets that these firsts are precious just as you do.

They appreciate the joys you experience together, the things they master on their own. They also recognize the challenges it took to get there, which makes it all the more special to both parent and child! It's what makes these adoptions exceptional and touching to all who follow the journey.

Some very recent examples....Enjoy!

First couple of weeks of school note home for L's great job:

"I just wanted to send you a note to let you know how much I am enjoying having *** in my math class!! After only teaching her for 2 weeks I feel very confident saying that I believe she is one of the hardest working students I have ever had the privilege of teaching."

Daniel Becoming a Citizen:

http://fox4kc.com/2014/09/19/kc-student-commemorated-before-classmates-for-completing-path-to-u-s-citizenship/

First preparation for Halloween for Rami, Sebastian, and Viki:

UPCOMING TELECONFERENCES! Up tonight......Colombia!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 19:29:00 +0000

One of the most overwhelming parts of international adoption is deciding which country fits your family best. This is everything from the age of the child, the country culture, length of time overseas, and overall process time. Nearly all Little Miracles families have started with an informational teleconference to help them out!

Tonight, Thursday, 10/23/14, we present Why Colombia?
Join us at 7:30 pm CST, email us for the call-in number (andrea@littlemiracles.org), even right up to the last minute.

Adoption is not typically a vacation, but I have to say, this country does everything in it's power while you bond with your child to present amazing sights and weather :).

Looking forward to meeting you, as we walk you through it!

Department of State Conference Call for DRC Families

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 19:28:00 +0000



		June 4, 2014 Invitation to follow-up Conference Call regarding the Exit Permit Suspension in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) The Department of State invites adoptive families and prospective adoptive families to participate in a conference call Wednesday, June 11 from 10am-11:30am EST to address families’ concerns regarding the DRC exit permit suspension. The call is being held in response to families’ requests for additional time following our May 16 call. We will also address what we have learned to date regarding the latest developments reported in our May 27 adoption notice. There will be brief remarks regarding developments followed by a question and answer period. If you would like to send your questions ahead of the call, please send them toExitPermitSuspensionDRC@state.gov. We will try to address as many questions on the call as we’re able, but will respond to all questions via email. Conference Call Information: Wednesday, June 11, 2014 10:00am EST – 11:30am EST Calling from the United States: (800) 288-8967 Calling from Overseas: (612) 288-0340

Getting Ready to Start Your Adoption? Join our Teleconference!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Wed, 28 May 2014 14:40:00 +0000

You've made the decision. You're starting or adding to your family.   You're called or drawn toward international adoption.   Huge decisions made, time to get going!   Oh, except you then realize that there are a LOT of countries to adopt from, and they all have different criteria, timelines, children available.........arrrrrrrgggggg.......more decisions.

That's where teleconferences and talking with adoption experts come in :).    Based on your family, your priorities, your ability to travel, we can help you narrow down the countries that work best for you.   While doing this, you can ask questions - none too small.

Tomorrow, Thursday, 9/29/14 is our ever popular How Do I Start My Adoption?   teleconference.   Do you see the photos we post of children home on our facebook page?    They nearly all started with this conference!

Date: Thursday, 5/29/14
Time: 12:30pm CST
Dial-in: Please email andrea@littlemiracles.org.

If you'd like to look through our info, please fill out this link: www.littlemiracles.org/index.php?page=inforeq.

We're excited to meet you tomorrow, answer questions, and start you toward your child!

DRC Announces Stricter Scrutiny of U.S. Adoptive Families’ Applications for Visas

noreply@blogger.com (Little Miracles International) — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 13:44:00 +0000

April 29, 2014

The Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Washington informed the Department of State on April 24 that applications for visas to travel to the DRC from U.S. adoptive families may be refused “in some cases.” Congolese officials state that adoptive families should be prepared for increased scrutiny of their visa applications as well as possible refusal of the visa citing the following:

Reports of children adopted by U.S. families being taken without proper documentation out of the DRC: The DRC Embassy informed the Department of State that the DRC government is aware of five U.S. families who removed their adoptive children from the DRC without exit permits issued by the Congolese General Direction of Migration (DGM). The DRC Embassy stated that those cases are raising doubts about U.S. families’ intentions when requesting visas to visit the DRC.

Intercountry adoptions purportedly do not conform with Congolese laws: The DRC Embassy stated that many U.S. families have adopted or attempted to adopt from the DRC even though they already have more than two children in the home and have adopted or sought to adopt more than three Congolese children, contrary to Congolese law. Additionally, Congolese authorities claim that some adoptive parents were attempting to go to the DRC to retrieve their adopted children without first having attended all of the Tribunal pour Enfants (Children’s Court) hearings as required by Congolese law.

Congolese officials have said that the discovery of such irregularities, among others, is part of the reason the suspension must stay in place while they review the adoption process. The Department of State notes that adoption cases are not always required by Congolese authorities, and in particular, the Congolese courts, to meet all Congolese legal standards. As far as the Department of State understands, the requirement to attend all Tribunal pour Enfants hearings is new. The Department of State’s page on adopting from the DRC presents the steps regarding Congolese legal and procedural requirements. Requirements can and do change, so we recommend prospective parents check regularly for updates concerning the legal and procedural requirements for adoption.

The Department of State regrets that U.S. families and their Congolese children are in this predicament. We remain committed to seeking a resolution as quickly as possible so that adopted children can join their families in the United States. However, as noted in the Department of State’s April 16 Adoption Notice, intercountry adoption is a very sensitive subject for the Congolese people and government, and Congolese authorities have reacted negatively when pressured on the subject. We strongly encourage U.S. adoption service providers and adoptive families to adhere to best practices and all aspects of Congolese law.

Please direct questions related to this notice, or a specific adoption from the DRC, to the Department of State, Office of Children’s Issues at 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or 202-501-4444 from outside the United States. Email inquiries may be directed to AskCI@state.gov.

Dept of State 2013 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption

noreply@blogger.com (Little Miracles International) — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 15:40:00 +0000

On Friday, March 21^st, the US Department of State published its 2013 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption.

2013 Report Highlights

· IA by US citizens decreased by 18% vs. 2012

· This decrease is largest since the 27% drop in 2009, and the second largest in the past 10 years

· IA of US born children decreased by 15% vs. 2012

· The average number of days to complete a Convention adoption was 310 days (from submission of 800a application to visa issuance)

· For the 8^th straight year, DOS has not debarred an accredited agency or person

Also ABC News posted a report to go along with this report:

Foreign Adoptions by Americans Decline Sharply

Notice: Update on the Status of Intercountry Adoptions from Ukraine

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 17:25:00 +0000

March 11, 2014

The Department of State is not currently aware of delays in the intercountry adoption process in Ukraine following former President Yanukovych’s February 22 departure from Kyiv and the Ukrainian Parliament’s establishment of a new government on February 27.

The Department has received information from the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that it remains open and that delays are not currently expected in the issuance of Ukrainian passports to adopted children beyond the normal 10 day processing timeline.

The U.S. Embassy remains open and is providing full consular services including issuance of immigrant visas to adopted children. Consular officers at the U.S. Embassy are actively engaged and in direct communication with those adoptive parents who may be affected by the current situation. U.S. families in Ukraine completing an intercountry adoption are encouraged to communicate directly with the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv at KyivAdoptions@state.gov.

Additional questions regarding intercountry adoption may also be directed to the Office of Children’s Issues at AskCI@state.gov. For more information regarding the current situation in Ukraine and the latest travel warning please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website at travel.state.gov.

Teleconference Thursday: Single Parent Adoption

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 01:11:00 +0000

Are you a single parent, or are you single and considering becoming a parent? Join us for this teleconference!

Date: Thursday, March 6th, 2014

Time: 7:30 - 8:30 pm CST

Place: LMI's Teleconference Line (Email for Dial-In Number)

Our discussion will center around the countries open and supportive to singles. We'll talk about parent criteria, and program process. We'll also present some things we'd like you to think about as you decide to build your family, unique to singles.

And of course, there isn't a teleconference without discussing the children available for adoption in these countries :) We will not only detail the typical child available in the programs, but also how the waiting child program works.

Meet Emily and Jabin. In March, 2011, she attended our Teleconference for singles considering adoption. She took that leap of faith and was early on in the paperwork, when she laid eyes on the child who she knew would be her son. In just over a year, life had changed for both Emily and Jabin!!!

Looking forward to meeting you tomorrow evening, and help you find your Little Miracle!!

Calling All NY Kazakhstan Adoptive Families - Join the Celebration!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 18:23:00 +0000

The Director of the Cultural Center of Kazakhstan, Alia Alhan, invites all families who have adopted from Kazakhstan to celebrate the Kazakh Culture in NYC.

Date: March 8th, 2014.
Time: 4:00pm
Place: 244 West 54th Street, NYC (between 8th Ave and Broadway in Manhattan)

On the agenda...Dombra playing, traditional light refreshments, and activities for the children. While the event is free, there is limited space. If you are interested in attending with your family, please email ccknewyork@gmail.com.

As a parent of two Kazakh children, I have found these events to be wonderful to connect with other families. If you attend, please let us know how you enjoyed it!

The Spirit of Christmas, Miracles from Uganda

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 15:12:00 +0000

Blending Families in Uganda

Two LMI families met in Uganda, and immediately hit it off. Like many who travel together, the Naugle and Ditty families realized they were going through something special and life-altering.

The Naugles arrived with their two sons to bring home twins Elijah and Eliana. The Ditty family and their three daughters arrived to meet Milly and Jonah, their new siblings-to-be. The two families lived like one family for two weeks, getting to know their new children, and each other as the legal guardianship for each unfolded smoothly and concluded. They were both now legal guardians, with custody of these beautiful children!

Here's where it becomes a little (okay, a LOT) different than the norm. The Naugle's 10-year-old biological son Cooper became ill. His health deteriorated quickly, and his condition turned life-threatening. In such time of joy, this nightmare. Specialized care would be needed, and the medi-vac came to Kampala to transport the Naugles to South Africa. Cooper's kidneys were failing. The Naugles newly built family had to be temporarily divided to save Cooper.

Without a second thought, the Ditty family, offered to take care of the twins for as long as needed in Uganda. So to their new brood of 5, the family added twin babies, caring for them as if they were part of their family. They immersed themselves into Ugandan life, a unit of nine. They took the twins to required medical appointments needed for the Embassy, the Naugles turned over Power of Attorney. The Naugle family continued to focus on getting their son well enough to go back to Uganda, go to the Embassy, and come home. There were many ups and downs for Cooper and his health, so many around the world prayed.

The Dittys remained steadfast in their commitment to the Naugles. Their Embassy process was then over, and the Dittys were free to fly home with all five of their children and start their life in the U.S. But they would not leave those babies for an additional transition, and create additional stress for the Naugles. They volunteered to stay until Cooper was well, and the Naugles returned from South Africa. Cooper was having transfusions and dialysis. After many long weeks, the Naugle family was reunited with their precious babies in Uganda. The families had adopted one another in trust and become one.

We always say that God connects the right children with the right family. There is a plan. God went one step further here...these families were connected in travel and journey for a reason. The Bible speaks of loving kindness, compassion, and dedication. The Ditty family acted as a rock not only for the entire Naugle family, but an example of sacrifice and selflessness for their own children. They have inspired all of us at LMI. We are humbled by the strength of these two families who are now entwined as one.

It must be no coincidence that the families arrived home in the U.S., just days before Thanksgiving. They are this year's Little Miracles Thanksgiving families. We stand in awe of God for bringing these amazing families together.

Jonah and Milly first meet their new family!

Elijah and Eliana first meet their new family!

Christmas in Acholiland: Call to Action

noreply@blogger.com (Little Miracles International) — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Last year our Christmas in Acholiland was a huge success!! We hope that 2013 is exactly the same. Please share this link with everyone you know!

I tuned my radio to my favorite station today and they are playing Christmas music from now until the holiday is over. It is the time of year when holiday music rings through car stereos and shopping experiences are full of jingle bells, decorations and lights bringing a warm atmosphere and new life to homes across America as families gather together. We go on a mission for that perfect gift for our loved ones, and then overdo it just because we can. This is the season of Love, resounding Joy and the season of family.

Americans Spending the same amount on Gifts in 2013 than 2012. Americans will be spending a little more money on gifts in 2013 than they did last year. In 2011, the average American spent $646 on holiday gifts. In 2013 the estimate is $786. On Average each American family that traveled during the holidays spent $2500.00. Nearly nine in 10 U.S. adults say they will spend some amount of money this year on Christmas gifts. Underscoring the importance Americans place on holiday gift giving, 30% -- identical to last year -- plan to spend at least $1,000, and half plan to spend at least $500. Only 3% intend to spend less than $10

One in 10 parents said the plan was to spend over $500 per child. While this is just an average, American families can definitely spend an astronomical amount of money on Christmas gifts. Over the course of the entire year, Americans spend 6.96 billion hours on figuring out gifts for "hard to shop for" people according to Giftovus. The total annual cost of "bad" gifts is $49 billion dollars in wasted spending according to Giftovus. What if the money spent on these unwanted and useless gifts that are re-gifted or thrown out could be used for children in need?

As we watch our children open their gifts on Christmas, please remember the 147 million orphans worldwide who won’t receive a gift from a parent, or anyone. Some of them may even be starving and hungry!

What about the orphans? The children with no family, in war affected areas, children orphaned and affected by AIDS, children who have no idea about Christmas? What about our Strong Heart Children in Uganda?

You can make Christmas possible for these children!

These are children who suffer daily just through their daily life. As we celebrate this season with our families we must remember those who cannot and will not be celebrating. But we have an opportunity to change that for a few children in Northern Uganda, and you can help!!! This holiday season remember our Acholi children who live in survival mode each day.

Some of these children for the first time ever, will receive the love of God through new shoes, new mattresses and a family Christmas feast!!!

Would you consider giving if your gift didn't include something that goes under a tree? What if your gift allowed children to rest above the ground cleanly and safely as they sleep on a new mattress replacing filthy rags over mattresses soaked with urine, mud and years of wear? What if your gift allowed children to walk for miles without their feet touching soil. New shoes would bring new life to these precious souls. What if your gift would allow the children to eat until full without worry that there will never be any more??

Only you can help us make this happen for our children! You do not need to have a PayPal account to donate. Simply select Pay by Credit Card Option after clicking the button. We are caring for 80 children this year! Please help!

Here is what we need to make this happen:

Donate a Bull or a Part of the Bull to the Children: $250 for the bull (yes a bull) for the celebratory feast They will also dry the left over meat for future meals!

Donate a Live Goat that the children can enjoy throughout the year, meat and milk!

Donate a Live Chicken that the children can enjoy throughout the year, meat and eggs and chicks!

$25 each sleeping mattress per child and caretaker (They need about 40)

$30 for each child to have shoes, clothing and pay for their meals for the next month (there are 60)

$50 for each caregiver that has worked without any pay whatsoever for every single day. This will give them encouragement and allow them to buy necessary items they need for their own lives. (there are 8 of these) Please ask yourself how can we bless the adults that care for the children selflessly without pay?

School Fees and School Uniform, In Uganda education is not free.

Donate Any Amount to Christmas in Acholiland!!

We need to buy the following so any amount of donation can go towards that!:

Bales of used clothing $300.00
Entertainment (we hire a stereo system that will cost us $250.00
Other Food: 1 sack of rice $150.00, cooking oil $45.00, sodas $150.00, potatoes $50.00
Celebration cakes $25.00 (we need two)
Sodas and Sweets for the children ($100.00)

Pay By Check

Make payable to “Little Miracles International” on the “for” identification line of the check, please write the project name "Christmas in Acholiland" and send to:

Christmas in Acholiland
Little Miracles International
PO BOX 19776
Amarillo, Texas 79114

What in that great list of gifts of American spending each year above, can you give up to give a needy at risk child this season? The children deserve what we can afford, and we must show them the love of God on this holiday season. We will send the money on December 16th, but any amount we receive after that would be a big blessing!!

Pre-Adoption Immigration Review (PAIR) program in Ethiopia

noreply@blogger.com (Little Miracles International) — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 14:38:00 +0000

December 6, 2013

This notice from the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is to provide information from the initial transition into the Pre-Adoption Immigration Review (PAIR) program in Ethiopia and address some frequently asked questions from prospective adoptive parents and adoption service providers.

On August 30, 2013, the Department of State published an adoption notice detailing the three categories of cases that would be considered to be pre-PAIR cases by the Ethiopian Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs (MOWCYA). These cases are not subject to the PAIR requirements. MOWCYA provided the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa a list of specific cases that are considered pre-PAIR. MOWCYA will require a PAIR letter from any case not on this list. If you are unsure if your case is considered pre-PAIR, you can contact the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa (consadoptionaddis@state.gov) or the Office of Children’s Issues (askCI@state.gov) to verify whether your case is subject to PAIR requirements.

FFIC Hearing Dates before the PAIR Determination

Cases submitted to the Federal First Instance Court (FFIC) after the September 1, 2013 implementation of the PAIR are subject to the PAIR requirements. Some cases which were submitted shortly after the implementation date may have received preliminary court hearing dates, despite not having a PAIR letter. Families in this situation may wish to request a later hearing date from the FFIC or withdraw their petition to the FFIC until the PAIR process is completed. Because the FFIC accepts the filing, schedules a preliminary hearing, and then forwards the filing to MOWCYA in order to prepare the best interest recommendation for the preliminary hearing, the PAIR letter needs to be included with the FFIC filing in order to facilitate that process. It is our understanding that if MOWCYA receives a filing that is subject to the PAIR requirements but does not have a PAIR letter, they will present an unfavorable recommendation to the FFIC due to the lack of the PAIR letter. While the FFIC does have final discretion in the issuance of an adoption decree, it is our understanding they generally do not issue decrees over an unfavorable recommendation from MOWCYA.

Pre-PAIR Cases

Families whose adoptions are confirmed as pre-PAIR cases but who have chosen to go through PAIR processing can do so without concern for the timing of the PAIR letter with relation to the court process. MOWCYA will not be looking for PAIR letters in these cases. Once the court process is complete and the PAIR letter is issued, these families should follow the instructions for PAIR filings on submitting the final decree to the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa. They should be sure to include the PAIR letter in this submission. PAIR letters for confirmed pre-PAIR cases will not need to be authenticated because these PAIR letters will not be submitted to any Ethiopian government offices.

Order of case processing

PAIR filings and resulting Form I-604 investigations will be processed as expeditiously as possible in the order they are received. As with all adoption related immigration processing, the timeframe for completion of PAIR processing varies greatly based on the circumstances of each case. Families adopting multiple children should note that PAIR processing may be completed sooner for some of the children than others. Families in this situation are encouraged to consider this timing issue carefully as they plan both their submission to the FFIC and subsequent travel for court hearings.

Authentication Fees

Families have requested information regarding the fees for authentication of the PAIR letter for use in Ethiopia. Instructions for requesting authentications from the Department of State can be found on the Office of Authentications webpage. The fee for authenticating PAIR letters is $8 per document (as of the notice date). Please consult the Authentications webpage for the most recent fee information. Instructions for requesting authentications from the Embassy of Ethiopia to the United States in Washington, D.C. can be found on its website. The current service fee for authentications of U.S. documents for use in Ethiopia is $94.80 for U.S. citizens and other non-Ethiopian nationals. Please contact the Embassy of Ethiopia to the United States to confirm the latest fee information.

Communication

If you would like the Department of State or USCIS to contact you by e-mail during PAIR processing, please provide your email address with your PAIR filing. Further, if you wish for either the Department of State or USCIS to communicate directly with your adoption service provider or agency, a privacy waiver must be submitted with your PAIR filing.

This information will also be added to the Ethiopia country specific information on adoption.state.gov and the USCIS country information webpage for Ethiopia in the coming weeks.

Adoption Alert: Democratic Republic of the Congo

noreply@blogger.com (Little Miracles International) — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 23:50:00 +0000

Democratic Republic of the Congo

October 23, 2013

Alert: Democratic Republic of the Congo Authorities Announce Changes to Suspension Exceptions and New Prohibition on Adoptions by Single Parents

Changes to limited exceptions to suspension on exit permit issuances:

On October 22, the Congolese Ministry of Interior and Security, General Direction of Migration (DGM) clarified limited exceptions to the suspension of exit permit issuance referred to in the Department of State’s October 8 adoption notice. The DGM will issue exit permits to adopted Congolese children whose adoptions were approved by the Congolese Ministry of Gender and Family’s interministerial adoption committee beforeSeptember 25, 2013. The DGM provided the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa with a list of children whose adoptions meet this requirement. The U.S. Department of State will contact the families whose children are on the DGM’s list by October 28. Adoptive parents are advised that the possession of a U.S. immigrant visa may not, on its own, be sufficient for the DGM to issue an exit permit to an adopted Congolese child.

Adoptive parents whose Congolese children’s cases fall under the exception must apply in person to the DGM’s Administrative Secretary for exit permits. Please note there is no fee for the service. The DGM usually takes a minimum of seven days to process exit permits for adopted children. The DGM Administrative Secretary may be reached at:

Mr. Albert Luyinu, Administrative Secretary
Direction Generale d’Immigration
65, Boulevard du 30 juin,
Commune de la Gombe
Ville de Kinshasa, R.D.Congo

The DGM further clarified that the Ministry of Gender and Family will not process any pending or new applications for approval of adoptions during the suspension on exit permit issuances.

New prohibition on adoptions by single parents:

On October 22, the DGM informed the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa that it will no longer issue exit permits to Congolese children adopted by single parents, unless the adoption meets the above criteria for limited exceptions. The DGM contends that certain provisions of Congolese law prohibit single individuals from adopting Congolese children. This prohibition applies to single individuals from all countries and is intended to be permanent. The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa is seeking clarification on the prohibition’s impact on children whose adoptions by U.S. families were already completed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before the suspension.

Adoptions in progress:

Prospective adoptive parents and adoption service providers are reminded that adopted Congolese children cannot depart the Democratic Republic of the Congo without an exit permit. Therefore, while the courts may continue processing adoptions, the children adopted during the suspension will not be able to obtain exit permits to depart the country.

Please direct questions related to this alert or a specific adoption to the Department of State, Office of Children’s Issues at 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or 202-501-4444 from outside the United States. Email inquiries may be directed to AskCI@state.gov. We will also post new information as it becomes available on www.adoption.state.gov.

Adoption Notice: Kenya

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 20:55:00 +0000

Reminder of Kenyan prohibition against pre-selection of prospective adoptees

The Kenyan Adoption Committee has requested that the United States government remind adoption service providers and prospective adoptive parents of Kenya’s strict prohibition against pre-selection of children by prospective adoptive parents. The Kenyan National Adoption Committee, Kenya’s Central Authority under the Hague Adoption Convention, is likely to reject dossiers and/or referrals for families that have pre-selected a child or have had prior contact of any kind with a specific child, the child’s guardian, or individuals with power to determine a child’s eligibility or placement for adoption. This could include, but would not be limited to, contact through mission trips, volunteering at orphanages, or other relationships with the prospective adoptee. The sole exception to this prohibition is when a prospective adoptive parent can prove a blood relationship with a prospective adoptee.

The U.S. Intercountry Adoption Act, which implements the Hague Adoption Convention in the United States, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Interim Hague regulations require disclosure in the home study of any information relevant to the prospective adoptive parents’ eligibility to adopt under the specific requirements of the child’s country of origin (See 8 CFR 204.311(q)). Prior contact between prospective adoptive parents or any additional adult member of the household and a Kenyan child’s parents, custodian or other individuals or entity responsible for the child’s care may be grounds for denial of the Form I-800 (See 8 CFR 204.309(b)(2)).

Adoption service providers and prospective adoptive parents who wish to know more about intercountry adoptions from Kenya can visit the Department of State’s page on adopting from Kenya and the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi’s website for more information.

Getting Started in Adoption: Where and How? Information Teleconference

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 16:38:00 +0000

If you are considering international adoption, and are overwhelmed with all the information out there, this is the teleconference for you!    Little Miracles will break it down and sift through the material and condense it into very understandable small pieces of information. We'll discuss the criteria, process, children available, and travel times for each country.   Our emphasis is on realistic expectations, which all adoptive parents deserve.   Countries we will review:   Uganda, DR Congo, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Colombia.

You do not want to miss this call!

Join us!   Email us if you would like to register to attend!    We look forward to meeting you! If you cannot attend the teleconference, the conference may be recorded so please write for more information.

When: Thursday October 17, 2013   7:30-8:30 pm
Where:   Little Miracles Teleconference Line, please register at email above

Adoption Alert: Democratic Republic of the Congo

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 19:23:00 +0000

Alert: Democratic Republic of the Congo Immigration Authorities Announce Limited Exceptions to Exit Permit Suspension

This notice updates the Department of State's September 27 adoption alert regarding the suspension of issuance of exit permits to adopted Congolese children seeking to depart the country with their adoptive parents.

On October 3, the Congolese Ministry of Interior and Security, General Direction of Migration (Direction Generale d’Immigration, DGM) informed the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa that it will issue exit permits to adopted Congolese children who received immigrant visas for travel to the United States before the September 25, 2013, suspension effective date. Adoptive parents whose Congolese children received U.S. immigrant visas before September 25 must apply in person to the DGM’s Administrative Secretary for the exit permits. Please note there is no fee for the service, and the DGM usually takes a minimum of seven days to process each request for an exit permit for an adopted Congolese child to depart the country with his/her adoptive parents. The DGM Administrative Secretary may be reached at:

Mr. Albert Luyinu, Administrative Secretary
Direction Generale d’Immigration
65, Boulevard du 30 juin,
Commune de la Gombe
Ville de Kinshasa, R.D.Congo

The DGM further clarified that it will not issue exit permits for children adopted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo who received, or will receive, immigrant visas on or after September 25 until the DGM lifts the suspension. The suspension of exit permit issuances for adopted Congolese children applies to all intercountry adoptions and is not limited to adoptions by U.S. citizens. These exit permits are required in addition to U.S. immigrant visas in order for adopted Congolese children to travel to the United States.

Please direct questions related to this alert or a specific adoption from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the Department of State, Office of Children’s Issues at 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or 202-501-4444 from outside the United States. Email inquiries may be directed to AskCI@state.gov. We will also post new information as it becomes available on www.adoption.state.gov.

Adoption Alert: Democratic Republic of Congo

noreply@blogger.com (Little Miracles International) — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 01:05:00 +0000

Alert: Democratic Republic of the Congo Immigration Authorities Suspend Issuance of Exit Permits to Adoptees

This alert updates the Department of State's May 2 adoption alert regarding the suspension of issuance of exit permits to adopted Congolese children seeking to depart the country with their adoptive parents.

On September 27, the Congolese Ministry of Interior and Security, General Direction of Migration (Direction Generale d'Immigration, DGM) informed the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa that effective September 25, 2013, the DGM suspended issuance of exit permits to adopted Congolese children seeking to depart the country with their adoptive parents. The DGM reports the suspension will last up to 12 months. This suspension is due to concerns over reports that children adopted from the Democratic Republic of the Congo may be either abused by adoptive families or adopted by a second set of parents once in their receiving countries.

The suspension of exit permits for adopted Congolese children applies to all intercountry adoptions and is not limited to adoptions by U.S. citizens. These exit permits are required in addition to U.S. immigrant visas in order for children to travel to the United States.

The DGM has not indicated whether adoptions in process may continue during the suspension period. The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa is seeking clarification on the impact this will have on cases where adoptions were already completed, or completed and an immigrant visa issued. We will post new information as it becomes available on www.adoption.state.gov.

Please direct questions related to this alert or a specific adoption from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the Department of State, Office of Children's Issues at 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or 202-501-4444 from outside the United States. Email inquiries may be directed to AskCI@state.gov.

The Republic of Korea Signs the Hague Adoption Convention

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 30 May 2013 18:38:00 +0000

May 28, 2013

On May 24, 2013, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) signed the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Convention). This is the first step for South Korea in becoming a Convention partner. Adoptions between the United States and South Korea, however, are not yet subject to the requirements of the Convention and relevant implementing laws and regulations. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which will be designated as South Korea’s Central Authority, there is no set date when South Korea will deliver its instrument of ratification or when the Convention will enter into force with respect to South Korea.

Adoption Alert: Ghana Adoptions

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:18:00 +0000

The Dept of State, Office of Children’s Issues has issued the following alert regarding adoptions from Ghana.

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 may effect pending adoptions. The U.S. Embassy will continue processing adoption cases already approved by Ghanaian authorities.The Department of State will continue providing updated information on adoption.state.gov as it becomes available. If you have any questions about this notice, please contact the Office of Children’s Issues at 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or 202-501-4444 from outside the United States. Email inquiries may be directed to AdoptionUSCA@state.gov.

UPCOMING TELECONFERENCE - THURSDAY 5/9

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Thu, 09 May 2013 02:26:00 +0000

UPCOMING TELECONFERENCE! One of our most popular - please join in.

Adopting the Older Child: Joys and Challenges.
Date: Thursday, 5/9
Time: 7:30pm CST.

If you're considering adopting a child age 4+, this is a helpful way to explore.   We'll discuss:
- Referral process in different countries,
- Transition, including meeting, first days together, language, siblings,
- Firsts to share together, and
- Planning realistic expectations - how your child may feel.

   Email info@littlemiracles.org for dial-in information. See you there!!

Update: DRC Embassy Kinshasa

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:08:00 +0000

Democratic Republic of Congo

February 7, 2013

Notice: Changes at Embassy Kinshasa for adoption-related immigrant visa processing

Due to the increase in the volume of intercountry adoptions from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by U.S. citizen families, U.S. Embassy Kinshasa announces several changes to its procedures for adoption related immigrant visa processing. On January 31, 2013, Embassy Kinshasa held a teleconference with U.S. offices of adoption service providers (ASPs) operating in the DRC, to announce these changes. A meeting will take place February 7 at the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa with local ASP representatives to share the same information. This notice summarizes the information shared in those meetings.

Embassy Kinshasa will now conduct the required field investigation after the approved I-600 petition is electronically received from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or, for petitions filed in the DRC, upon receipt of the petition. The Embassy will notify the petitioner, their ASP, and their designated representative to schedule a visa interview only once the field investigation is complete. The Embassy will not schedule the interview until the field investigation is complete. Adoptive families should be advised that field investigations may take approximately 3-6 months to complete, possibly longer if the case originates from an area experiencing civil unrest. This change is effective immediately, but does not affect any appointments already scheduled.

Because of the security situation in the country, Embassy Kinshasa discourages U.S. citizens from traveling to the DRC solely for the purpose of filing the I-600 petition, and recommends that anyone considering travel to the DRC first review the Department of State’s travel warning for the DRC. The option of filing the I-600 petition at Embassy Kinshasa is intended primarily for U.S. citizens resident in the DRC. Residents of the United States should file their I-600 petition directly with USCIS National Benefits Center. Petitions filed at Embassy Kinshasa may be filed by either spouse listed on the petition. The absent spouse must sign the I-600 petition before it is submitted, but the petition does not need to be notarized. The child’s Congolese passport is no longer required by Embassy Kinshasa to file the I-600 petition. It must, however, be ready before the immigrant visa application and interview.

As a courtesy, the Embassy has gathered information about processing passport and exit visa paperwork with the Congolese government; however, please be advised that these processes are solely administered by the Congolese government and are subject to change. The processing time for an application with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) for a Congolese passport for an adopted child is approximately 2 weeks. The fee for the Congolese passport is$170. The processing time for an exit permit with the Direction Generale de Migration (DGM) is approximately 1 week. There is no fee for the exit permit. The MFA and DGM conduct their own investigations to ensure Congolese procedures have been followed. Embassy Kinshasa will not make calls to expedite processing of either the passport or the exit permit.