In June, the U.S. government warned Americans against adopting children from Guatemala, citing a lack of government oversight. Then, in August, Guatemalan authorities raided an "orphanage" where 46 children were living and awaiting adoption. Currently, the adoption process is not controlled by the government, but by private lawyers who, some speculate, are able to complete the process quickly because they bribe officials and buy babies.

"The lawyers find babies, obtain power of attorney from the mothers, secure governmental adoption approval, arrange housing for infants pending paperwork and deliver the children to the new parents. Foster parents and doctors are paid by the lawyers."

After the August raid, several adoption lawyers took out newspaper ads protesting the government's interference. The Guatemalan government also ratified the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoptions, which will take effect in January and force the adoption process to become more centralized. In addition, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says it will more closely scrutinize visa applications for children from Guatemala, to ensure that adoptions are being handled appropriately.

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Labels: laws, governments

Posted By: Aspen Education Group