Reported by Nacha Cattan of the Associated Press, in an article titled Guatemala to renew adoptions halted midway by ban, on August 21, 2011:
“Guatemala has issued a decree that could speed up dozens of adoptions by U.S. couples that have been stuck in limbo since the Central American country suspended adoptions in 2007 amid allegations of fraud and even baby theft.”
“The decree says that parents whose adoptions were halted midway by the ban can complete the process if they prove a “prolonged” relationship with the child and that they were not responsible for any fraud, among other requirements. The possibility of a domestic adoption must also be ruled out.”
“But it might not go far enough to solve all pending cases, says Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, who will visit Guatemala this week to, among other things, push to expand the program to more U.S. adoptive parents.”
This is a positive step in the right direction. Read the entire article here.
ShareThisTags: Associated Press Guatemala, Guatemala900, Guatemalan adoption, Senator Mary Landrieu and Guatemalan adoption
I’m glad to see you feeling hopeful, Jessica, I just wrote a post on my blog that’s a bit more cynical. The timing of this seems designed to appease the US after the court order to a US family to return a child. I don’t know Guatemala very well, but based on what I’ve seen other places, that’s where my mind went. Of course, who cares why it happens if some good comes out of it.
Very good point, Sharon. I’m trying to remain hopeful for the 350+ families continue to wait. We’ll see what happens.
Actually, this ruling actually has nothing to do with the “real” transition cases– just the flawed cases that cannot be legally defined as transition cases under Guatemalan law. It creates a loophole of sorts for them.
I broke it down here:
http://findingfernanda.com/2011/08/cna-passes-new-resolution-on-transition-adoption-cases-2008-2010/
You can read the full CNA decree here:
http://findingfernanda.com/2011/08/82211-the-new-cna-decree-on-transition-adoptions/
Thanks for the info and links, Erin.