As you may or may not be aware, there is a new law project being presented in Guatemala. While many aspects of this bill are positive compared to previous new law proposals, it has one very disturbing aspect. This bill threatens to end the ability of single parents to adopt children from Guatemala.
Focus on Adoption™ will be working to try to prevent this “No Singles” clause from making its way through the Guatemalan Congress by proving to them that children adopted by single parents are not having their rights jeopardized. These efforts would be in addition to the work of groups like the ADA who are dedicated to preventing laws from being passed and implemented that are not consistent with the Guatemalan Constitution.
In order to do so, Focus on Adoption will be presenting the Guatemalan authorities with proof of the loving homes that single parents provide. As such, Focus on Adoption is asking for the help of singles who have adopted from Guatemala. Focus on Adoption would like to receive copies of any and all post-placement reports from singles that have adopted. If you have not had any post-placement reports done, then providing a simple “progress letter” and photograph will suffice. Letters from any older adoptees with single parents would also be wonderful.
Please be sure that the information sent includes your name, your child’s birth and adopted names, date the adoption was completed, and who your adoption agency was. Once again, this information is needed ONLY for single parents who have adopted.
It is possible that you may be asked for this same information from your agency for the same purpose. If so, just let them know that you have already sent it directly to Focus on Adoption.
Information can be mailed to:
Focus on Adoption
312 S. Lincoln Avenue
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Via Fax: 856-321-0809
Via E-Mail: reachoutnj@aol.com
For more information on Focus on Adoption including how to become a member, please visit http://www.focusonadoption.com.
How would these new laws affect those singles already in the process? As a single mom to be with a referral who is now 6 months old I am praying that I will be allowed to complete my adoption. I am also hopeful that this new proposed new law will most definitely be found unconstitutional for all of those coming along in the process.
Posted by: Melanie at June 16, 2004 08:53 PMThis is very upsetting. Is there anything that non-singles can do to help?
Posted by: Michelle at June 17, 2004 10:52 AMMelanie, I am not an expert on the Guatemalan legal system but I don't think you have anything to fear. In te past, the cut-off is whether your POA is registered along with the birthmother's "first acta" (relinquishment). If you're six months in to the process, these SHOULD be done.
This new law is a mere proposal and has not been passed. It must be read and passed three times before going into law. I also believe that the Guatemalan Congress is not in session right now, so they aren't voting on anything at the moment.
This proposal to eliminate single adoption, as I understand it, is not constitutional as Guatemalan Law does not give the government the authority to enact such a restriction. So, if the law was passed, it may come under legal challenge in Guatemala just as the Hague did this time last year.
The hope here is that it will be possible to pursuade the Guatemalan authorities that a no singles provision is not necessary and is ultimately unfair to the children who would otherise benefit in a single parent family. There's no need for panic at the moment, this move is to be proactive so that a time more panic never arises.
Kevin, guatadopt.com
Posted by: Kevin at June 17, 2004 11:29 AMNOTE to ANYONE who copied the address to mail to before Thurs. 6/17 at noon EST, I had a typo on the zip code for the mailing address. It should be 08002 (as it now appears on the post).
Sorry for any inconvenience...
Kevin, guatadopt.com
Posted by: Kevin at June 17, 2004 11:49 AMI know we shouldn't panic, but this really makes me nervous. I am just at the point of mailing my dossier to Guatemala and am therefore not very far along in the process. Is there anything we singles can do that are still in the process of adopting??
Posted by: Susan at June 17, 2004 12:43 PMDear Susan,
My opinion and advice---just send your dossier and have faith that all will go well---believe me, it will be the best decision of your life. I just arrived home with my baby girl end of May and now I can't imagine life without her. She is so special, so sweet and so happy. Being a single parent has challenging moments, but the lifestyle change to become a parent has been worth every second as I watch her discover something new or as she coos (I like to believe because she is happy to see me!) when I enter the room after her nap! I was afraid to send my paperwork in the beginning too. Everything went smooth as silk. Go for it!
I am a single woman and I am just beginning my process to adopt a daughter from Guatemala. I am very concerned and worried about this new bill. When is it estimated that this bill might become a law? Can anything be done to stop this bill? Can it affect me and stop me from adopting a child? Should I even continue my process? Please help!
Thank you
Zee
If there is a real threat of this passing, I think it is important for people to begin contacting the Adoption Officers in the Office of Children's Issues at the State Department [(202) 736-9099; (202) 736-9096] as well as Senators and Congressman to gives them a heads up on the issue. During the Hague crisis last year, people rallied together to protect adoptions by making their views known to the government and others.
Posted by: Lauren at June 17, 2004 07:55 PMFolks,
Please please please slow down on this one. There is nothing the U.S. can do at this point. This is not a law proposal that has even been passed or discussed before Congress. This is not the same as the Hague (where we were asking the U.S. to assert third party status, trying to get the US embassy to restart DNA approvals, and to push the Guatemalan authorities to come out with clear guidelines and complete in-process cases).
The Congress in Guatemala is out of session until August sometime (I think). It may not ever pass. There will be people fighting it in that regard. Focus on Adoption will be coming out with a more complete plan on this which at some point may involve contacting your representatives.
For any singles about to start, you are okay to do so. What is key is that your lawyer gets that POA registered ASAP. You may want to consider going to Guat to sign the POA because that save time since you don;t then need to get it certified, authenticated, shipped, translated, etc.
This is one instance where we are being proactive rather fighting what had already been decided.
For those looking for a way to help, join Focus on Adoption to support our efforts. There is a membership form on the website (www.focusonadoption.com). And if you are a single who has adopted, please do send in your post placements. But please just hang tight and don't make this more than it is at this point. I appreicate how hard that is. I was very invovled with the lobbying last year around the Hague. But this is not that type of situation and, kinock on wood, we can help prevent it from ever becoming that way.
Kevin, guatadopt.com
Posted by: Kevin at June 17, 2004 08:31 PMKevin,
Thanks so much for being a calm voice of reason during times when emotions run high and things seem uncertain!
I appreciate your willingness to answer my question.
Melanie
Posted by: Melanie at June 17, 2004 10:24 PMWhat is Focus On Adoption? I just want more details before I send personal info about me or my child.
Patty
Posted by: Patty at June 18, 2004 08:17 AMThe best thing we can do is all join Focus on Adoption, as individuals (the cost is $50.00). The Founder of my adoption agency is also one of the leaders @ Focus, along with the great Hannah Wallace. We all know how hard they fought for us during the Hague. They need our support - just as we needed theirs. Write the check!(please)
Kim Lanzillotta, Mass
Going to visit Kevin Antonio on June 24th - for the first time!
If there is no need to panic...why are you urging people to get their dossiers and POA's registered ASAP??? ASAP implies urgency, does it not? Congress won't convene until August, it has to go before Congress three times and pass every time before becoming law - at least this is my understanding. I am single and adopted 2 children (home in February) at the same time and will be sending in a letter and photographs. I did not use an agency, rather adopted independently through an orphanage in Antigua
Posted by: Annette at June 18, 2004 10:52 PMI was told this week that I could not send my Dossier off to Guatemala due to this impending change. Is this the correct action? Sit and wait until the ruling in August? What are the chances that I could be "in process" before they rule?
Posted by: Lisa at June 19, 2004 04:10 PMI am single (divorced) & I rec'd my referral in May. I have just been told by my agency that they have received a request from Guatemala for an addendum to my homestudy to be executed by my social worker in which she must provide the name of a person whom I have chosen to be a "father figure" for my prospective adopted child. I must also indicate this person's relationship to me, his age, and his line of work. This addendum must be signed by my social worker, notarized, state-certified, & authenticated. I have been told that my case will not proceed in Guatemala until this document is received. I thought this would be of interest to your single readers. Tamra
Posted by: Tamra at July 13, 2004 05:49 AMis there any updated information on this possible law passing in guatemala? thanks...
Posted by: Liz at September 3, 2004 05:53 PM