Any real truth to the month long adoption hold or is this just hype by Prensa Libre?

I have a question. How do they know that the children that disappeared were abducted with the purpose of giving them in adoption?

Any one of them has an answer?

Anyway I hope that they respond to the request and some photos can be pubblished by guatadopt.

Vince

Is this story to be belived? I thought this was a anti adoption newspaper and has been called in question for accurancy

Kevin,
Please can you confirm if this is accurate. I really can't take much more of this!!!

Sarah

ok seriously last week PGN told the lawyers cases will start to come out this week now its a month. this is beyond ridiculous and totally unacceptable. lets start calling the us embassy and our govt officials we have all been gracious but WE ARE GRANDFATHERED PEOPLE AND THIS IS NOT PART OF THE LAW, This is an abuse of power without any regards for the children. Unbelieveable. I hope the Susan and the Ada are ready to file an Amparo to put an end to this crap.

Are all the cases on hold? Is this official news?

thanks for all the information you all provide us .

any mention abandonment cases? if they need to interview the bm's before releasing the cases - then what?
one of the yahoo group has a couple of people who's files won't be released until their birth Moms are interviewed.

What we are being told just doesn't make logical sense. I think it is more of a political point again. What better way then to say you are holding all adoptions. The reason I can't believe it is they are saying that the process will only be a month until all cases can be reviewed for accuracy and corruption, yet I am hearing that PGN is still accepting cases. Is it me or what...but every time they accept another case it is more time for investigations and that will certainly be more than a month. Furthermore they can still investigate and let approved ones go so I am still waiting on the truth. If this is all happening because a few women are starving themselves then I hate to be rude but can't we send some adoptive parents over there to make our point? I feel like our hands are tied because we are not down the road from PGN to do our protesting. At first they said they would be reasonable in all this but now we are being told a month and I'm sure a month won't be enough time if we are accepting more cases on a daily basis. How are 2,000 cases going to be reviewed in a month and then be let go in a good amount of time. We need to start protesting and getting people on PGN this just doesn't make sense to me.
Furthermore I have been writing letters to senators, etc but I am not getting feedback. Why are the adoptive parents and children the ones suffering through this? We started out just wanting to help a child in need and its been one roller coaster ride. It is very frustrating. And nobody seems to be on our side. What do we have to do to get PGN working for us because right now they seem to not want us to adopt? Is this the message we want to send for the future of international adoptions? I understand there has been corruption in the past but to keep the honest ones from wanting to love a child and give it a home is a major crime!!!!!!!! But nobody wants to see that. We are too busy living in the past so much that now we had a chance to bring these children home and we are playing the waiting game again. It is just too sad. We need to start a petition or group rally. We need to do something. I don't buy it for a second about these starving women and if anything these are probably the same women that were involved in the corrupt adoptions and realize they can't get paid by that so now they are doing a reversal situation. Please let's get some real information like who can help us with this. Who can be on our side? Because writing to senators is a waiting game. They got other fish to fry. We need to contact people who can really help us with this. Does anyone know how we can get ahead of this situation instead of being the target of what keeps coming down the pike? It is just too sad. And what about the parents that are adopting older children...the longer this political game goes on it is more delays for the older children...so sad really that it is to play out this way....

Karen

I don't believe any of this for a second. And what's this bit about the starving women? What I really want to know is how can we find support for getting our cases moving in an honest fashion? I feel like all we can do is sit and wait. Isn't there a petition or something we can do to help these children get home? The way these adoptions keep getting put on hold we will be lucky to bring them home by the end of the year. It is really just too sad...that the process has to be like this.

KD

The ladies are being paid by that Anti adoption organization to do this theater worth performance. One claims she was raped and the child taken, another that she was drugged and the child taken and that she could identify the woman who took her child but that the child is now in the USA after an adoption. DNA testing and a needed court appearance would make the stories impossible. Also, how come they all have the same story and then authorities say investigations into the matter have yielded no results? Why did they wait YEARS to come out and claim their children? How did they even find each other? We all know how people from rural areas are very disconnected. The fact that they found each other and all now show up to make these claims is all too funky. What a circus. The worst part: Guatemalans BELIEVE it.

Does this include cases out of PGN and awaiting a date from the American Embassy??

Karen,
You ask: what can we do? I say a great way would be for all parents stuck in PGN to fly down at the same time (wouldn't hotels love this?), and go TOGETHER as a mass and picket in front of PGN. If we could even get 100 parents to do just this it would STILL be great!! THAT would be quickly on the press, showing Guatemalans that Americans are real, loving people just waiting for their kids, not organ buying ghosts or child traffickers. I know for a fact that if this group were to stage the same hunger strike tactic or at least stay there until they are heard, things might start to move quicker in PGN. Now who volunteers to go?!

I'm a little confused...does this mean adoptions that are out of PGN too? I'm waiting for pink and the US Embassy is not responding to my e-mail.

PURE hypothesis here...

1.) Prensa Libre doesn't 100% make stuff up. But you have to take the exactness of what they say with a grain of salt
2.) We know CNA has spoken of the need to validate the relinqiushments and/or abandonment decrees. Thus the talk of b-mom interviews. Abandonments, I wouldn't worry too much about it, they can't expect a birthmother to be found if the whole basis of the adoption is based on her being missing. They can just try to make sure all paperwork is in order from the courts.
3.) There was talk of conflict between PGN and CNA, who could legally do what, etc.

So... My interpretation/opinion. Once again, pure hypothesis based on nothing more than you know. I think this is saying that PGN and CNA cut a deal and PGN will be attempting birthmom interviews. Not clear on whether I think it will be all or a good number of cases. I take it to mean they are guessing it will take a month "or so" to complete or get moving with the first cases cleared.

I see no direct quotes from anyone saying much more than that they are going to do what we have already said might happen.

This is not to minimize the fact that this is a delay because it is. It just seems to me as the "making official" of what we've known was coming.

I am so sorry for everyone having to endure the added time - especially all the children whose homecoming is impacted.

If you can, go visit.

Attorneys and agencies - help with this. Open up communications with foster families so that PAPs can be in touch with the children's developments regularly.

Folks, I'd love it if I could recommend a PAP assembly in Guatemala. The fact is that it is not our country and no matter what the intention, could very likely come across as ugly Americans who want the kids they paid for.

I wish that powers-that-be relied on Guatadopt more to explain adoption realities and help with this stuff. Pragmatism is so needed.

Things are where they are and no matter what, don't lose sight in the big picture of what it means that no one is questioning ultimately honoring the referals. I know the feeling of not having that security blanket from 2003 and trust me, it's a bad one.

Lobbying our officials to do all they can to assist in this process with the necessary resources may not be a bad idea. Just beware of some big-talking Senators and politicians who like to look good in newspapers in election years. And by that I was not referring to any of the three candidates running for president.

To cases already out of PGN with the file having been approved, released, and picked up. IF your case has its birth certificate and passport (is ready to go to the Embassy for 2nd DNA and pink) then this should have no impact on you. IF it's you don't have your birth certfiicate and/or passport, I still think you won't be impacted but we will have to see.

I am sure tomorrow we will learn more and as always we'll post what we know.

Paz,

Kevin
Guatadopt.com

I am wondering where is the US Embassy ( our DOS ). They were so active when the Ortega law had to be passed!!! Mr. Lowell ( former US diplomat in Guatemala ) even showed up in the Guatemalan Congress, clearly interfering in an internal matter of a SOVEREIGN NATION, violating all the " consuetudos del derecho internacional " ( all the commons of the international laws ). I hope they are still working for us behind the curtin:They have interfered once in another Country internal matter; they can do it again, can't they? Even if Mr. Lowell is no longer around.

Vince

I also don't want to sound rude, but if these children that were stolen in 2006, why didn't these women go on hunger strike THEN? Why wait until the 11th hour of the grandfathering cases coming thru to make their point? We are bearing the brunt of all past sins and I'm sorry but it is not fair to all of the adopting parents to have to go thru any more additional time. I want the child I have the referral for, but to put it mildly at this point, I am bitter about the whole situation including the non existant help from our senators and or government officials. If I had to do it all over again, there is no way I would do so. The stress is overwhelming and for what purpose? To weed out a few corrupt individuals who from what I understand are well known as corrupt. I agree that children abuduction is unacceptable, but there are more safeguards in place here than in some other countries I would bet. I hate to think of children suffering, but obviously it is more important for the officials in Guat to point fingers at the criminals than to think about getting the children that have been referred to a loving home (and safe I might add, due to all of the clearances we need to go thru). That in my opinion is the crime here.

I can't sleep. Another sleepless night!!
I read again the article on " La Prensa Libre ". The all story stinks like a septic tank ( sorry ). The four women that just ended a protest to find their daugthers abducted few years ago know exactly the names that two american families gave to them: Kimberly and Dulce Maria. My question is very simple and I would like that someone in Guatemala would ask the same. Since you claim that your daughters were abducted, how do you know the names that the american families gave to them? And you say that Dulce Maria never left Guatemala, therefore you know where she lives with the adopting parents ( americans living in Guatemala: Should't be that hard to find them! ). Is it possible that nobody in Guatemala can't ask this simple and logic questions? Am I the only Sherlock Holmes around!

Elementary Watson.Elementary.

Vince

Diana-

I have found another way to make easy money and became rich.
There is a medical center close to my house that is offering big money to study people with sleep disorders. With all the sleepless night I am having, I can qualify very easily. I hope only that Unicef isn't going to ask part of the money, since they are the main responsible for this situation.

Vince

Kevin,

You are so right when you say that this is not our country. Something I have been telling myself for th last 15 months since our adoption journey began. I can't see how we can make demands to anyone in Guatemala. I think that the only thing to do is wait the 30 days, keep eyes are ears open and pledge to the Guatemala consulate to intervene in our behalf.

Has anyone heard whether or not they have stoop issuing new BC's after PGN or passports?
please post

Thanks Kevin. My case is messed up. Guatemala received the DNA report two weeks ago today. But supposedly the photo place lost hte passport photos and they had to be re-taken on the Friday after the report was received (4/25). So I don't know if her passport has been completed and the USE is not answering my e-mail that I sent last Tuesday.....very frustrating. The USE will not communicate with the attorneys or agency because according to PGN, I have POA. So, I'm guessing that if I need to get an attorney involved, it is on my own, fighting against the USE! So ridiculous when it is your own country that you need to worry about fighting with!

If this is really true, is it for judicial cases as well? We are nearing 2.5 years in process and have been told we should have an answer from the judge within the next two weeks but now this 1 month delay?!?! Anyone have any thoughts on whether this includes judicial cases?

Thanks!

Still hearing differently from my contact. Not saying that other things aren't happening but I know, as of last night that files are still being reviewed and people are still working. Doesn't make me any less exhausted though. I just want my daughter home. I am beginning to think that she won't be home for a long time....even longer than the 18 months we've already waited. Ready for the chaos to end........

One thing I just don't understand - why the lack of communication? In my opinion as a PAP I am attempting to act in union with Guatemala seeking to serve two purposes; for myself to a have a child to share my love and for Guatemala to find a safe and loving home for a child. I want what is best for all children. If there are clear issues of corruption or unethical acts occurring it is understandable that something must be done to prevent such issues. Would it be so hard to share with PAP what they are trying to do to resolve the current issues in the adoption process? I see all the posts of PAP growing angry and resentful. I suspect that if there was any form of real, official communication from the Guatemalan government you might get more support from the PAP community. This is an extremely trying time to be a PAP, a horrible emotional rollercoaster. I signed up for the ride and I'll deal with it because in the end I know that I will have made the world a better place by opening my heart and my home to a little girl that has no one to love her and who has no home. I just ask that Guatemala make it a little easier on me by sharing some communication.

There was also a story about this on the BBC web site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7385122.stm

I'm inclined to think there is some truth to it.

I am with everyone else. I can't sleep. It is crazy but I am now at the point of having my skin break out because of my nerves. I am so upset that this is happening. I can't imagine what it is like in Quatemala. I am stuck in PGN also. The adoption agency that I am currently with does not tell me anything. Does anyone else not get communication from their agency?
My concern is the children. My child is in a foster home. Where are the continued funds coming from to support my child until she comes home? Could this result in any issues. Could the child be put back in the orphanage?
Thanks Kevin for keeping us updated.

I honestly think we all need to contact jcics, senators and our congressmen. Is this even lawful what is going on? I thought the law passed by the Guatemalan congress was that remaining cases would processed according to old notorial laws. Is this this a loophole he is getting through? We need to keep trying to get someone to put pressure on him to get the cases through and communicate how this process is going to work.
My daughter turned two yesterday!

I am so discouraged!

Ok- this is starting to scare me. MSN has another report out too. When you read these stories, you have to begin to wonder... what are these people going to do when they look at our cases, one-by-one. Will they too, start making up things we need to send, DNA tests that may or may not be needed? Are these things going to make us give up, or atleast make it nearly impossible to get our children? Is this their idea of halting all adoptions and getting people to go ahead and give up? if they don't hurry up with this, I really think from my own perspective that this is an attempt to stop adoptions. You can't tell me that they couldn't have started this AFTER we got through. We've had tons of war protestors out and about, but you didn't see us pick up and leave Iraq. You're telling me that a 3rd world country listened to 2-4 women out on their front steps? At this point, I've given up asking questions about "When" will things happen, I want to know "why?"

I understand the corruption, but seriously. Leave those of us in process alone. I don't trust these people to do a DNA test. how do we know they won't sabotage the tests. And if they are doing the DNA test the same way the others are done, then why in the heck do they need 3?

They need time to investigate the legitimacy of pending adoptions due to more fraud being uncovered. Adoptions are going to be slowed down. Everyone was warned last year. The wait and slowdown is hard for all involved (to say the least). But we need to ask ourselves: do we want to possibly illegally process adoptions for the sake of expediency? Do we want to possibly bring home a child in an unethical or illegal manner? Do we want to parent/raise a child that perhaps has his/her birth family looking for them? Perhaps when we examine these questions, we may come to realize that in order to support ethical adoptions of children from Guatemala in this climate, we have to pay with patience and the agony that can come with "the wait". But is that too much to ask given the other possible scenarios?

Thanks Kevin. My case is messed up. Guatemala received the DNA report two weeks ago today. But supposedly the photo place lost hte passport photos and they had to be re-taken on the Friday after the report was received (4/25). So I don't know if her passport has been completed and the USE is not answering my e-mail that I sent last Tuesday.....very frustrating. The USE will not communicate with the attorneys or agency because according to PGN, I have POA. So, I'm guessing that if I need to get an attorney involved, it is on my own, fighting against the USE! So ridiculous when it is your own country that you need to worry about fighting with!

PearlsMama--
I am unclear why you would think that anyone has ever said they wanted an unethical or illegal adoption. We just need a clear, JUST, and legal pathway.

Changing things as often as is currently happening is very difficult and in many cases seems to violate Guatemalan laws.

As Christine put it, we PAPs deserve and are asking for communication. This communication with the Guatemalan government needs to be facilitated in a consistant and timely manner by our DOS and needs to be started immediately.

Children's lives are at stake, Americans are being discriminated against under Guatemalan law... The Ortega law was pushed and pushed by our DOS and the international community and we all had a sigh of relief when the "grandfather" clause was included.

I am unclear as to how this is not a violation of Article 56 of the Ortega Law. IF, God forbid, any of these 2,300 cases end up in abandonment (due to not being able to locate a birthmother etc.) then those cases will go under the NEW law. There is precedence right now with several cases already having this happen.

Calling all PAPs caught in this mess, email your questions and concerns to:
the Office of Children's Issues at AskCI@state.gov

In the subject line put: Problem with Guatemalan Adoption

They have a Guatemalan adoption staff person there to assist.

Kevin, I still don't understand.... If the PGN sees that the child is going to an American family, how can anyone fake the 2nd DNA test that is required by the USE? If the birth mother does not want to cooperate, she just wouldn't show up for the 2nd DNA test. No? I can see the potential problem with non USE cases if no second DNA was required. It seems to be that the lab results trump any other action by yet another reviewer with their own agendas/concerns, etc. What's up?
G.

I started my process in Nov 2006. I am so frustrated with all of this. I've got documents expiring so I have to make sure everything is updated. By June, I have to start sending child support @ $350/month because of these holdups. Sleepless nights is an understatement.

Where does that leave us that are still in family court? Does whatever is going on w/ PGN effect the cases that are in family court?

PearlsMama-
Yes, it's too much to ask- at this point in time. I've been going through this process for a year and a half- that's plenty of time to figure out an unethical adoption. I don't think the word expediency should be included when you are talking about an adoption process that will probably be no less than 2 years long. This country has sent out thousands of children to the US, why us, why now? It's fine if they want to investigate more- but get your rears on the move!!! If they want to make things better at this exact minute and include all of us-they better act on this exact minute. If they have a partial plan to interview birthmothers, then get to the interviews. Don't just wait a few weeks and write it up in papers to publicize it- get out there and do it. If you want to get a good strategy in place, get to moving on it, and then perfect it for the next people. I'm tired of being their guinea pig. Get to approving these cases, then put your new process and papers in place for later. We've paid our debts and time already- enough is enough.

All-

I just had a lengthy discussion with CCAI and I was encouraged. (Encouraged, not thrilled.) In all honesty, he did not tell me anything that has not already been reported. But, he was at last Tuesdays meeting with Colom and a few other senators as well as Coleman and Landrieu. Essentially, the crux of the meeting was adoptions and making sure that they are done in a timely fashion. Colom and his wife do understand that this is time sensitive. Further, there are many people working on our behalf and this admin does seem a bit more adoption friendly. In addition, there is no word on whether all 2300 birthmoms would be interviewed or if it just will be a random sampling. 40 biomoms were interviewed for the Casa Quivera fiasco and that took a ridiculas amt of time. Our kids would be in college if they intended to interview all 2300. It just doesnt seem feesible.

All in all, it was encouraging to know that there are many people out there who are working for us. This is an important issue for the new admin and they know it. Chin up, everyone!

I have to agree with Pearl's Mama. Thank you for putting it in perspective! I am feeling really depressed about the delays but it's important to ensure there's no fraud.

And much as you all love your kids, and have the best of intentions, going to someone else's country and picketing seems likely to backfire.

All of that said, isn't it more likely that stolen children are taken to other Lat Am countries for child labor (how awful)? I can't get my head around how they think "stolen" children wind up in US with all the safeguards, DNA tests etc.

Everyone it is time to pray. I know many of us have already been praying but we need to pray corporately. Ask your churches to pray. James 5:16 The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James then refers to Elijah whose prayers even controlled the weather. Many of us are wanting to have our voice heard and want something to do. While I was asking this question and awaiting a return call for CCAI
I felt the call to prayer. Let us pray for the hearts of the official in PGN to be softened. Let us pray for tender hearts and a desire to do what is best for the children. Let us pray for our voices to be heard and honestly considered.
Thank you, Kim

Just read this article. God Bless all our children.

May 6, 2008

On April 16-19, 2008, Joint Council and its Guatemala Caucus Co-chairs, including Bruce Mossberg of Bethany Christian Services, Chris Huber of FTIA, and Margaret Orr of Small Miracles, traveled to Guatemala to assess the current situation regarding permanency services, establish and strengthen working relationships with key stakeholders, and offer assistance to the government in developing their child protection and permanency services. The delegation met with the Executive Director and Vice-Director of the Guatemala Central Authority, the Director of Bienestar Sociale, the Director of SOSEP, the U.S. Consul General, John Lowell, and the U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala, James Derham. Additional meetings were also held with current service providers.

Immediately after the trip, Joint Council appointed Roberto Echeverria as Joint Council Guatemala Representative. Mr. Echeverria will significantly increase the effectiveness of Joint Council’s advocacy efforts within Guatemala.

Joint Council will soon publish an update on the status of the 2,900 transition cases currently in crisis and our collective advocacy efforts.

May 6, 2008

On April 16-19, 2008, Joint Council and its Guatemala Caucus Co-chairs, including Bruce Mossberg of Bethany Christian Services, Chris Huber of FTIA, and Margaret Orr of Small Miracles, traveled to Guatemala to assess the current situation regarding permanency services, establish and strengthen working relationships with key stakeholders, and offer assistance to the government in developing their child protection and permanency services. The delegation met with the Executive Director and Vice-Director of the Guatemala Central Authority, the Director of Bienestar Sociale, the Director of SOSEP, the U.S. Consul General, John Lowell, and the U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala, James Derham. Additional meetings were also held with current service providers.

Immediately after the trip, Joint Council appointed Roberto Echeverria as Joint Council Guatemala Representative. Mr. Echeverria will significantly increase the effectiveness of Joint Council’s advocacy efforts within Guatemala.

Joint Council will soon publish an update on the status of the 2,900 transition cases currently in crisis and our collective advocacy efforts.

Again...what was the purpose of our cases going through family court FIRST?

Why make us wait three months (in a good scenario) to get out of family court? What about abandonment cases and their long process...why put us through all that if in the end they are going to change the rules...illegally i might add.

Further, I, too, want to see that adoptions are done ethically and processed efficiently...but as a PAP, does it really spell out corruption when something on MY end, or with MY dossier, is kicked out for something as simple as a spelling error?

if they really wanted to help the process, the will check the WHOLE file at one time, and not just stop at the first discrepancy. Just think how many people would have their kids home today, if the reviewer took the time to go through the whole file at one time and gave the attorney a LIST of previos that needed to be corrected. Seeing people on their third,fourth, fifth time, etc. in and out of PGN is just ridiculous and does nothing to help the children of Guatemala.

Pearl's mama,

Yes it is too much too ask. They have had since September of 2007 and since December of 2007 to investigate any fraud in my case. Our two girls are now on the same dossier. We have been in this grueling process for almost 15 months and of course we want our adoptions to be done in a legal way. that is not the point. Many of us have been in alot longer than when the "warning" came out and have been waiting for them to get a move on!finally things were starting to move again and now they do this. We gladly pay the monthly support in foster fees but we just want what is fair and would like to have some communication on how this process will go. Yes, it is too much to ask

Last year there was a big the JCICS prompted The Guatemela 5000 Initiative.

Also, Senator Norm Coleman made a statement today urging the President Colom "to allow Minnesota families who registered with the Central Authority to move foward during this period of transition in their adoption system."

Is there another campaign that should be started?

Sandra, you sound like me 6 months ago. My agency was always days behind with any news. I was better off reading this website. I had to conclude that they are incompetent or just don't care. I used Bethany and I hope you aren't. I realize one of their head guys was mentioned in a post but this same person was to give me a personal report on my son after his visit last summer. I'm still waiting. Wilson finally came home in Feb- almost 19 months old. There is a chance that your agency will ask you to pay an additional amount to support your child each month. I was not asked to do this (to my surprise), but how could anyone say no to this?

I'm with Kevin, if you can visit GO. Hold that child as long as you can and that will keep you going for a while.

I'd love to start another adoption now, but I honestly don't know if my heart can bear it. I'm hoping for the kids' sake, the situation improves soon and they can come home at last.

Lauren

Are you kidding me? Some people think it's a good idea for the children to be stuck in limbo for months to come? Are you joking? I feel like I'm listening to PAP who has only been in the process for 3 weeks - not years like many of us. Come on! It is absurd for the government to have NOW taken it upon themselves to pick our cases - the very last ones of their kind - to be checked and rechecked for corruption.
I have not been in this as long as some of you but I am waiting for 2 girls, one is an abandonment who had her 3rd birthday yesterday ...a birthday that should have been spent with her new family - not in an orphanage.
If there is anything - anything- we can do as PAPs please let us know.
I thank the Guatadopt team for everything they do for us. You have been our lifeline for the last 6 months.

I know this doesn't soften the blow, but the entire government of Guatemala has only been in office since January. As we all know, Colom's people didn't get into the CNA until Feb and into PGn unrtil very recently. I' not saying what should or shouldn't be done, but the people making decisions now did not have the opportunity to make them in the past.

Kevin
Guatadopt.com

i must say i am somewhat surprised at the rage and suprise in some peoples voices about the delays in the adoption process. we were all warned about a year ago about NOT entering into an adoption in guatemala because of the upcoming change in rules and regulations. from what i saw of coments to this, people largely ignored these warnings. i saw with my own eyes the corruption that was EVERYWHERE. i witnessed with my own eyes a hundred dollar bill, rolled up in some scrap paper with a paperclip on it, go from an adoption lawyer to a goverment official that had said papers would not be done until weeks later. lo and behold...papers were finished in about 20 minutes.

these changes are for a reason. a very important reason. and it is sad and upsetting for those going thru the process and which cases was started BEFORE the warnings came out. i feel for the kids, but the PAP's that started the process less than a year ago, KNEW what they were getting into and should maybe have listened to the warnings instead of blatently ignoring them.

Lisa

I am just going to re-post this vital information:

Please email Office of Children's Issues at DOS at AskCI@state.gov

In the subject line put: Problem with Guatemalan Adoption

They have a Guatemalan adoption staff person there to assist.

The more the DOS hears from us the more action they will take. We need them to advocate "on the ground" for the health and welfare of the children.

For those who are diminishing the birth mother protest (hunger strike). I personally know very little about this protest other than what the press says, but I'll tell you that these women have greater risk of being homicided in reprisal for this protest before they starve. So...I seriously doubt that they are lying for the sake of theater. They are risking their lives above and beyond starvation for speaking out/protesting. And, you can order a hit/homicide for all of $15USD in Guatemala--it comes cheap. I know that this is not a popular thing to say on this forum. However, I think that everyone should take this seriously and it is not going away. The press will cover this and it will continue to feed the rumors about child theft and injustice--both in Guate as well as here in the US.

Hi waitingfor2 -- it's been 3.5 YEARS since we started this process though only recently in PGN. We live in a third world country which shall go unnamed, and it took TWO YEARS to get our home study finalised because the government agency does everything so that agencies and lawyers don't profit from it. (I can tell you first hand that this is NOT a process for any country to emulate!!) So we haven't been in the process just recently. We are older and don't stand a snowball's chance in hell of getting another referral if this one falls through. So I hope I wasn't insensitive in agreeing with Pearl's Mama, but I've heard from other adoptive moms who, once their kids are home, start to wonder if everything was as above board as they hoped. We are distraught, depressed, whatever emotion, we're feeling it. And this is the place for everyone to rant and share their frustration. But if someone chooses to look at the upside as Pearl's Mama did, i.e. the added reassurance of additional checks, I actually take a bit of comfort in that. All we know for now is that it's a one month delay. For now, I am taking it at face value, hoping for the best, and wondering how to afford a visit trip.

Karenms1,
The women are being protected to do this by the same organization that is pushing the review of ALL cases, not just problematic ones. Are you kidding me that they will be murdrered? They are getting all sort of recognition and support signatures from the understandably sympathetic, yet uninformed public, that has no idea that is is impossible for the US labs and Embassy to fake DNA results. No one would diminish their efforts if:
a) they would have ANY proof
b)they would have come out YEARS ago, instead of now
c) they were not making insane claims such as knowing who adopted the children yet there being no evidence and that they were drugged to get through DNA testing and Court.
It does not make sense.
anonymous