We're still waiting for multiple source updates. But one forum regular who attended the meeting basically posted that it went well. She said that
1.) PGN agreed to look into the legality of the CNA auditing grandfathered cases
2.) PGN agreed that everyone knows who the corrupt attorneys are and that they will not hold up all cases over that (note: I find this hard to believe as who decides the list of "corrupt" attorneys"). But they said that they will separate investigations of attorneys from the adoptions themselves and prosecute the corrupt ones.
3.) They will process cases in a timely fashion
4.) They are looking into cases that seemed to have exited PGN too quickly in the past. Iwould assume this part of investigating what went on in PGN with Gordillo and Barrios as there is till a court case open involving their firing.
Click on more for an update 8:00 pm Monday
As we learn more and get more reports, we'll post it.
We did hear back from a very trusted source basically verifying the information above. This source urges calm and says that they say some cases, starting with those that had been approved but not picked up, SHOULD start coming out next week. He also added that anytime there is a change in leadership at PGN, this sort of thing is normal. He said that in general, it was better news than expected.
Posted by Kevin at April 28, 2008 04:22 PMKevin,
Do you have any information on the cases that have received the final siganture and have been sealed? (our's has) Will thay be releasing those soon?
Posted by: Gina at April 28, 2008 04:44 PMAlso wondering if they've re-opened their doors for new cases to be entered (we were slated to enter at the end of last week)?
Thank you for keeping us informed!!
Posted by: Donna at April 28, 2008 05:18 PMThanks, Kevin. This is helpful and encouraging. Since I've only checked the site about 400 times today (smile), it's really nice to see some news--especially what sounds like fairly good news--even if it is from only one source. I appreciate your keeping us posted!
Posted by: Ruth at April 28, 2008 05:30 PMI can't wait to hear more news :D I'd love to hear other attys take on the meeting.
Kevin and Kelly, thank you for all your work and support. It's been life saving for me and my little girl while being away from home for so long.
I do hope that we get an official announcement soon and we can all have our kids home asap :)
Posted by: airstar98 at April 28, 2008 05:50 PMKevin, I guess some attys have already raised red flags with things not matching in the files. The attys argued that they should not be punished when PGN already knows who those attys are.
So, I think they would be investigation all cases with attys names that have already been tied to indescrepancies.
Posted by: airstar98 at April 28, 2008 06:02 PMRuth - I wish you lived in NJ! We could have brought my laptop to Starbucks!
Lets pray this is a step in the right direction.
Guatadopt - I feel you are all family to me.
Thank you.
Posted by: waitingfor2 at April 28, 2008 06:16 PMThank you so much Kevin, and Guatadopt for the information. Everyday we lose bringing our baby boy home is really sad. I hope we hear more reassurance following the CCAI mtg with Pres. Colom tomorrow.
Posted by: kelly at April 28, 2008 06:47 PMI was at the lawyer's meeting, and I am not sure if PGN knows what are they doing, however I directly asked the Procurador if he was letting CA to revised the files because this is against the law, he replyiend that he will comply with the law and will not allow it. Meantime, he is asking the lawyers to be patience as the transfer of office was not an easy one and that hopefully next week cases will start to come out (specially the ones that were already approved). So far, we really do not know if he will keep his word, and we the attorneys must be ready to file legal recourses if this is not true.
Posted by: Miriam at April 28, 2008 07:30 PMI have a question about point #4. Does this mean that they could investigate recently approved cases? Mine was approved on 4/15 and the adoption decree was signed on 4/18. Could they somehow void all of that?
Posted by: b at April 28, 2008 08:26 PMI feel like that as I want to be an adoptive parent. I would also want the process to be legal and safe for birth mother, child, and the parent to adoptive. I am praying for the son that I want to adoptive that he can be home soon. My file was approved on April 18, 2008. I am also sending all in the process of adoting a prayer. I also would like to thank lawers, agency and everyone involed in all our adoptions. I feel like that they are all working in the best interest in everyones case. Thanks also to having this site so that we can all get the information that we need. I have been clicking all day to find out any information. I will continue to pray for all cases of adopting children Thanks everyone!
Posted by: julia at April 28, 2008 09:28 PMAm I reading too much into this? I have heard that the review right now is starting with those that were signed off, then onto those that were on Barrio's desk waiting for sign off, then onto those with second reviewer, and then first reviewer. It has been stated that next week is when cases should start coming out. Does this mean that they are trying to get all the "Barrios cases" cleaned out and then start off with a clean slate (i.e. clean out all the cases currently in PGN before accepting anymore cases). If this is the case, it would appear to me that they believe they can review all 400+ cases currently in PGN within a week or two, and then they will start accepting cases with empty desks, and process them on a first come, first serve basis. If this is not the case, I don't understand why they would wait a week or so before releasing the cases that they have reviewed. It sounds pretty obvious that they have been working and continue to work, so there have to be cases that they have cleared.
I don't want to get everyone fired up or spread bad info, I am just trying to understand what is going on. As far as I can tell, PGN is not accepting any submits/resubmits right now, but if someone knows differently, please enlighten me!
Thanks for any insight!
Lo
Posted by: Lo at April 29, 2008 07:25 AMI really need to know about new cases being accepted. I have an abandoned little girl that is waiting for me. Has anyone heard anything!!
I'm happy for everyone that's coming out of PGN. It's about time..I hope and pray for everyone to bring their babies home soon.
KIM
Posted by: KIM P at April 29, 2008 09:26 AMI hope they do just look at the cases from the "bad" attorneys. I'll bet they do know who they are, just like police know the bad apples in their barrel.
Wouldn't that be wonderful, if they let the other files fly through?
What a horrible blow, though, to be caught as a file signed off by a "bad" attorney! It's not like we get to choose!!
It is really sad how more and more knowledge about the corruption just keeps coming and coming. In 2004, I found out about some of the bad stuff my attorney did in 1999!!!
I do almost wish we could just close our eyes and start with a clean slate . . . but it is one of those things that now that we know we can't pretend we don't.
Even though it is so hard not having your baby home, maybe it is better to not have to live with the wonder of what corruption may have existed in your case. If I had a choice, I honestly don't know which I would choose -- having my baby home or having a clean case.
I do live with the wonder from my early cases and some days it is not a pretty sight in my mind . . . Just what am I going to say in coming years???
Posted by: Sheryl at April 29, 2008 09:34 AMI have a question about point #4. When it says they will be investigating cases that exited PGN too quickly in the past....what does that mean? Recently? In the last few years? Can you clarify past? Our case went through PGN very quickly, but it was "in the past" and our son has been home for over a year. Is it possible they will be investigating cases that far into the past?
Posted by: Ellen at April 29, 2008 11:08 AMEllen - None of us on this board would know because we do not work for the Guat Gov. But, it seems highly unlikely that any child in the US now would be sent back to Guat. The cases out quickly but the child is still in Guat, well, that might be another story. Has anyone seen a situation where the US would not issue the Visa because the Guat Gov filed something with the US saying the case is being investigated?
Posted by: CarolynP at April 29, 2008 01:52 PMSo from what I understand they will not be releaseing anything this week? Our file has been in and out of PGN since NOVEMBER! We have had minor previos and have corrected them... I am really starting to get discouraged in all of this.
Posted by: JRCarnes at April 29, 2008 02:06 PMIam glad to hear there was some positive feedback.Do any of you know if there was any mention about cases that are in abandonement? and if they would possibly be considered for the grandfathering clause... as many of us have been waiting for years for our children.
Thanks
Audra
About cases being investigated and families being informed in the US that their adoption was fraudulent...that happened to some families in the Cambodia scandal. They were informed of the fraud and it was determined by the US gov't that the children would not be repatriated. However, you don't ever know...but the Cambodia case is an important precedent.
Posted by: karenms1 at April 29, 2008 05:25 PMIam glad to hear there was some positive feedback.Do any of you know if there was any mention about cases that are in abandonement? and if they would possibly be considered for the grandfathering clause... as many of us have been waiting for years for our children.
Thanks
Audra
Realize that there is a legal battle being wages by the old PGN regime trying to overule their firing. Some of the reason to investigate how some cases got out quick likely is to show why President Colom fired Barrios/Gordillo, not to question the adoptions.
Kevin
Guatadopt.com