Kevin,

As a board member, do you have high hopes this meeting will bring change? or is it a wing and a prayer?

Kevin,

Just out of curiousity, is there a way that adoption agencies around the country keep in touch so that they can additionally deliver their information to either Focus On Adoption or to the US Embassy?

I sincerely appreciate the time and energy in relaying this information and allowing one outlet for those of us who are "stuck."

Thanks.

I am always hesitant to believe that things will improve. The US has no control over PGN. With that said, it is a good sign that at least they are going to try.

Agencies that are involved with FOA or JCICS do keep in contact. Not all do...

Kevin
Guatadopt.com
FOA BOD

Although it is great to hear that PGN issues will be addressed by the US Embassy what is being done about problems with the Embassy.Our attorney has tried for two weeks to get into window 8 to submit for DNA with no luck and no end in site. I see other families with the same problem. We cannot even fathom PGN until we get DNA authorization and PA.

Kevin,

I submitted our case information as you suggested, then went to another site I visit regularly.

They have scared me to death!! They were all commenting that their agencies said that they need to check it out, and not to put their names out there.

What are their fears??? Are they scared it's not legitimate, or are they scared their cases may be flagged, and stalled?

I hope you can clear this up for me. I am usually not scared easily, but their comments have gotten my stomach in knots!!

Sorry for the panic attack!!

Cheri F

Thank goodness that someone is doing something to try and help. At least the slow down is not going un noticed.

Kevin,

I'm thankfully not stuck in this mess with PGN, but have been following what is going on because my friends are back in for the 4th time since May 18.

I'm just wondering what is going on with the ADA and the lawsuit that Susana Luarca talked about. Has this been put on hold as well?

Cheri - I don't know what they are afraid of. I suppose theoretically it could be retaliation by PGN against the case. but I'd say that if you've been stuck for a long time - what more can PGN do. To me, these fears are unfounded. I also think that it is morally irrersponsible for agencies not to participate in moves designed to help everyone. To me it is the moral equivalent of supporting a war but then syaing "but I wouldn't let my kid fight it".

Connie - I don't know where it stands. The amparo process is not a simple procedure nor is it a slam dunk. It is possible that after obtaining legal council from lawyers who focus on consitutional issues, that the ADA determined it was not the way to go.

Kevin
Guatadopt.com

Many of you stuck in PGN probably peruse other websites in search of information about PGN wait times like me. Yesterday I discovered the Guatemalan Adoption Forum at adopt.com where a member has been creating a list of PGN waiters and "graduates." It is updated about 1x/week with information reported by families who communicate with him. At last post, (7/16) there were 114 families on the list as PGN waiters. Of course, these are people who voluntarily give him their information for the list, so it doesn't represent everyone waiting. But it's interesting to see the average wait time (82 days for July) and get an idea of the case flow. I think you can access this direct link to the last post without becoming a member: http://forums.adoption.com/showthread.php?threadid=259297

I also provided this information to the original post (above) from Focus on Adoption (ReachOutNJ@aol.com)

JWB

Kevin,

Thank you. Since I posted my comment to you, I have seen agencies and adopting families lighten up some on the fears.

Thank you, again for your response.

Cheri F

Thanks for the updates, as I recall we had finished the DNA testing, and were essentially "done" with Family Court, but for unknown reasons still in limbo for the last month. Our agency did contact our attorney in GC, and apparently its because the social worker done with the files hasn't been in their office everytime our attorney stops by! Goofy. We hope to have a short PGN stay (our son is 8 months old), but we're not exactly optimistic at this point. *Crosses fingers*

My attorney advised me to email my us senator regarding their assistance in facilitating my adoption due to pgn taking longer than their legal time allotment to review/approve cases. I sent my email yesterday and already rec'ed a response to help by email today.

When people count how many days they've been in PGN, is that actual days or business days?

Christy

When people count how many days they've been in PGN, is that actual days or business days?

Christy

I would only count business days. If I counted the wkend it would be even more depressing. I have been in since 3/24............Alot of days!To many days to count. I will see my little guy next wk, VERY EXCITED!

I never thought I would say this but to all of you that have been stuck in PGN, don't give up hope. My husband and I were in PGN since Dec 2, 2005 and just got out July 21st. We waited 7 mths without any movement in PGN except 1 previo in June. We are finally going to be able to bring out little girl home. My prayers are with all of you.

Kevin,
I read on another forum that the meeting was yesterday afternoon and wasn't well received by PGN. Do you have any additional information about the proceedings?

I read that myself. I am trying to get confirmation.

Kevin

My agency told me the same thing about the meeting that just happened. There Att's were there so I think that is the case. The PGN director is going to do what he wants. He does not want to be told what to do or when to do it. That is it. He does not care if he is breaking the law or hurting the children!
My husband and I have accepted the fact; when we get out we get out. There is nothing we can say or do about it. I have been in over 4 months They have hurt my family more than words can ever express so it is what it is.

I know there have been people in longer so I am sure you feel the same way............if not worse!

Kevin, The Director oversees the PGN, who oversees the Director??? Do you have any idea how many adoption cases are in PGN? I am anxious to read about the results of the meeting.
I just keep on telling my self I will have my baby for the rest of my life and it will all be worth the wait.
Thank you for all the time and info you put in this web site!
Gail

I heard there are hundreds of cases waiting for approval. They should just do there jobs and stop complaining. Approve my dossier let me out with approval.

I think these government people are all in this together.
Alot of these adoptions agency do wonderful work in Guatemala. Don't they see that?

The head of PGN ultimately reports into President Berger. In my OPINION, Pres. Berger's repeated attempts to end adoptions may be somewhat of the cause behind the delays.

I am still trying to confirm if the meeting took place. My understanding, which could be wrong, was that attorneys would not be in attendance. So there may have been a different meeting between lawyers and the PGN separate from the one the Embassy is to have.

Kevin

Forgive my ignorance-
I am in the learning stages about adoption. Guatemala had looked to me like an attractive option.

What is PGN? What is the problem with PGN?

Any referrals to timelines of stages of Guatemalan adoption would be really helpful too, if possible. Any good sites for me to look at would be appreciated.

Would you all still recommend considering Guatemala for adoption? I have wanted to adopt from a Spanish speaking country and am not aware of other such countries to focus on as a likely option.

Thanks,
Jamie

Jamie,

Go into the resource center on this site and you will learn all about the process, what PGN is, etc etc etc.

I'd recommend you spend an hour or two surfing through everything on this site to learn about recent happenings, the politics of ICA, etc etc etc. Another good site is www.guatfam.org.

Kevin
Guatadopt.com

For those stuck in PGN, you are in my prayers. I'm thrilled to say that I am finally out of PGN after 8 weeks. It's been a frustrating process, but my son is coming home after 13 months. I can't wait to hold my little boy in my arms again.

For anyone in doubt about visiting, I highly recommend it. I went for a week and came back much more comforted having met his wonderful FM and being able to see for myself what great loving care he was receiving.

I stayed at La Casa Grande while in GC and we had no problems. It is next door to the US embassy & has a gate that is locked at night. The staff was so helpful & supportive I recommend it highly.

Hi. I'm trying to get my head around the fact that my daughter will most likely come home 6 mos. later than expected. I can deal with a wait and will simply try to visit more (have not even made the first trip). However, I would like to know that it's just a matter of WHEN it will happen, not WILL it happen. Has anyone you know of been refused an adoption? What happens then?

Cheryl,
We are waiting to bring home our second son. We are in our 8th week at PGN. Just curious when you went into PGN. Congratulations to you!

Thanks Stephanie,

I went into PGN May 26. I was just preparing to go for my second visit trip because I couldn't take it being apart anymore when I got the call that he was out. It was 8 weeks to the day. Good luck, I hope you get out this 8th week!!!

Besides the delays I have been hearing from PGN, what is the average time from the US embassy approval?.

Hi everyone,
Want you all to know that things are really moving in PGN I went in on the 21st of June and just found out that we are OUT today!! That makes it 37 days in with not previos!!!! Here to a speedy PINK
Sheila

Maybe for some people PGN is moving - not for everyone. I've been in since March 30th. One of the adoption forums maintains a PGN waiters list. It's large enough to be statistically representative of PGN waiters in general - and suggests approximately 23% of PGN waiters first entered PGN on or before March 31, 2006.

Hello to everyone who is still waiting. I have been in PGN since March 15th!! Two KO's for minor things with the birth certificate. Just visited Guatemala so that I could spend my daughter's first birthday with her. I can't even believe that I just said that. One year old! It's so hard when the agency tells you in the beginning (Started August 2004) that Guatemala program is moving along great. Continued to be told that for months after the referral only to find out that I got stuck in the US Embassy for three months, to be kicked out two times for minor issues. This is so heartbreaking and my mind and heart can't comprehend how any person could do this to a child. I will be in and out of PGN for FIVE MONTHS on Wednesday. Where is our government in this? We understand that they can't control the PGN but what about discussions. Why can't one our officials sit down at the table and plead with him to get these cases through? My little girl is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. She's smart, full of personality, animated and loving. Thank God for some of these Foster mothers and families there. They are a God send. Prayers to all of you still waiting.

Hi all. I just dont understand this process. I am reading about folks who are "out" of PGN after a month or two. Our case has been there for more than 22 weeks! My adoption agency gives me no specifics about our case, telling me that our attorney says the case is just waiting for signatures. I have no idea how many Previos the case has experienced, our agency says they arent told..they say the attorneys just fix it and put it back into the process.

Is there anyone in the embassy or anywhere I can try to contact to find out what our delay is? Any suggestions?

Thanks

Wow Sheila,

That is wonderful and I am happy for you. I am so happy to hear cases are clearing....hopefully all of us waiting will soon clear.

I don't think it is the same all over though. We went in originally in Feb. Had 2 previos (one in March and the 2nd in mid May for a name affidavit issue which was erroneous). We still have not heard anything positive. Total it is 22 weeks for us and 10 weeks since we went in the 2nd time. I do know that our caseworker did get a few clear from end of May and June.

I pray that what is happening with cases clearing quickly will happen for all of us and we will all clear soon.

Cheryl, You stated you went to visit your little boy. Me and my husband are thinking about going to visit ou little girl. Where is a good place to stay,eat etc. About how much did it cost for everything to go for a few days? How is the weather, hot, humid? When you were there were you able to meet with your lawyer to find out what was going on? Did you take a gift to the foster mother? I want to take a gift to her but I haven't a clue of what to get her!!!!!Please let me know!!!! Thanks, Lisa

Lisa,
I just recently returned from my first visit with my son (4 moths old) and I stayed at the Marriot. They could not have been nicer. It is all about the babies so it is nice. Look up the flights with Taca Airlines and Continential They seemed to be the best. Good Luck and God Bless

Hi Lisa,

My husband and I have gone down 2 times. We have stayed at the QUinta Real GT because our lawyer requires us to stay there. Our lawyer felt it is a little safer there. It is absolutely beautiful there but it is near the outskirts of the city. Our agency has requested that we don't leave the property as he is not legally ours. There were some families who stay there who were visiting or bringing children home but I think some of the other hotels have a lot more. You can check their website at www.quintareal.com.gt. The hotel staff was very accommodating and wonderful and the rooms were great.

They have a restaurant on property with a breakfast buffet (very big one) and we had either room service or went to the restaurant each day for other meals. They also have a microwave in the room so we brought a few things we could heat in the micro.

The hotel has gardens to walk around and a pool there. We went in December and in July. Both times it was a bit windy and in the 80s in July. Surprisingly enough it wasn't as hot as we expected because of the elevation. We really had wished we had brought a few light sweaters.

We are still waiting for our son to clear PGN but I can tell you, visiting is so well worth it if you can. We were in love with him already, and each trip has made us feel so much more love for him. We will never regret it.

Many Blessings, M & S

Hi Paula, you could contact Adoption Supervisors -they may be able to help you verify the status of your case. From what I understand they can't really do much more than that - but it may give you some peace of mind. Be sure to read the warnings here on Guatadopt about the Adoption Supervisor "copycats".

I was thinking about hiring the adoption supervisors. I don't understand why we can't get a social worker report done. We're going into the 3rd month and my agency doesn't tell me anything. I'm getting desperate!!!!! Do the supervisors charge you a certain fee for a question? or do you hire them for a certain fee and they stay with you throughout your case answering any problems that you may have? What is the cost? Is it expensive? Please help!!!!! Lisa

Lisa, Are you sure the Social Worker report wasn't done? My agency kept telling me that we were also waiting for the report for atleast 2 months. When I e-mailed the US Embassy at the Guatemalan Coordinator's request, I found out that the report had been submitted and our pre-approval had been issued a month earlier. I was relieved and frustrated all at the same time. Double check before you spend extra money on Adoption Supervisors. Good Luck

Jennifer,
Thank you for sharing your information regarding the Social Worker report. We are also waiting for our report to be submitted by the SW, the interview was conducted in June. We also already received our pre-approval. How do I contact the US Embassy regarding the status of our case and what information do I need to include? Many thanks, again!

Jennifer, We have had our pre-approval since April. Had family court date on June 1st. Been waiting for a social worker report to be issued ever since. Please help me! What's the e-mail address for the US Embassy? What info. do they need? Thanks so much for helping me. Lisa

Monica,
The e-mail address I used was guatemala.adoptions@dhs.gov. I e-mailed them July 30 @ 10:32pm. I got the first response which was a form letter on July 31 @ 8:59am and by 10:31am the same morning I had the info I was requesting. I was VERY impressed with this time frame. I used somewhat of a form letter from somewhere on a Yahoo! site. It basically contained the baby's full name, her DOB, the birth mom's full name, my full name, phone number and e-mail address. I also included my agency's name and number and any info I had by that point. For example, I mentioned when the DNA was performed and when the Social Worker conducted her interviews. I tried to make it sound somewhat professional and just told them I wanted to make sure they didn't need anything else from me to help with their process. I guess it worked! Good luck!

Lisa,

We stayed at La Casa Grande. It is really small, but very authentic Guatemala. It is an old Spanish house next door to the Embassy. Everyone there was visiting or there to pick up. It really doesn't have any of the amenities of the larger hotels though -- no pool or a/c. But, it really didn't seem hot there.

There are about 7 people working there and they were wonderful, anything they could do for you or your child they would. I liked the fact that it felt more like a house than regular hotels. Most people propped open their room doors and left them that way for the entire day, just visiting amongst ourselves.

We ate every meal on the premises since we were just visiting and didn't have lawful custody of him. The menu is limited, but the staff was helpful as we were experimenting to find food my son would eat. They tried pureeing things to see if he would eat those. We finally found the right combination of things and all of us including the hotel staff were excited.

For us-- 2 adults, hotel and food cost us around $700 for 7 days.

We went in April (the warm season), it was mid-80's during the day and probably 60's at night. Most people complained a bit about the humidity, but I live in a very humid climate so I didn't really notice any difference from home.

Most of the peole there met with their attorneys. I actually have a facilitator there, she brought the FM to the hotel with my son and translated everything for us. I thought I would be getting an update on my case while I was there, but I was wrong. So, I just enjoyed my time getting to know my son. It was wonderful.

I didn't take a gift to the FM on my visit, but plan on doing so when I go to pick up. I also plan to take her and her family to dinner while I"m there as a thank you. Like you, I'm having trouble figuring out what to get the woman who has taken such loving care of my son when I couldn't be there -- no gift seems adequate to express my appreciation & gratitude.

If you are trying to decide whether to visit or not, I really really encourage it. It was a wonderful experience and allowed me to meet the FM and feel a little better about the wait since I know he is in good hands.

Good Luck

Hello to all PGN waiters!!! We have been stuck in PGN for 5 months!!! Yes we checked into Adoption Sup. and the cost was anywhere between 2,300.00 to 3,300.00. We kind of got scared away from that.Can anyone else tell me why does it seem to be the cases that went in PGN in feb. march and april do not seem to be coming out? but may,june,july cases are? does not make since!! did the old PGN director that left the end of jan. loose our files? I really wish I could find the answers because all of this is soooo emotionallly draining!!! Alley

Jennifer,
Thank you for the information. I will forward a letter this week and keep my fingers (and toes)crossed. Our prayers are with all of the familes waiting to bring their children home.

Hi Alley,Did you try to call pgn directly,will be a good idea to call and see where your case is..If you need information on how to contact pgn, my e-mail is urpi@aol.com
Good luck!!( I called 3 times already and they were really helpfull)

Gustavo

Hi Gustavo, Could you please give me the phone# of PGN. I would like to see where my case is. Thanks, LIsa B.

I work with several families from Guatemala and have struggled with contacting the PGN (I work in a congressional office). I have a number that works on occasion. Is there another number because sometimes I redial the number for an hour without getting through to someone? Moreover, are there days and times that I can contact PGN better? I would truly appreciate your insight as I love working with these families.