As most of you will recall, when the grandfathering process and CNA registration process began, there was some controversy of who was in fact the BOD for the CNA. For a few days, cases were being registered by the BOD that had been appointed by former Guatemalan President Berger. Eventually it was settled and the BOD appointed by President Colom took over, got the cases registered with a different form than the first, and issued registration numbers that were not a part of process with "the first CNA".
A certain number of cases, estimated to be possibly as many as 250, were only registered with the first CNA and thus never received registration numbers. These cases at the moment stuck in a state of limbo. A Yahoo Group has been creates to join these families together. If you have never received a registration number, then please click on more to learn about it and read a message from its moderator.
Posted on behalf of the Yahoo group Moderator:
About 250 families were signed up at the first registration procedure, but not the second. Because only the second procedure resulted in a number, these families, who got all their paperwork done and their power of attorney filed on time, have been in limbo for months, their cases unable to go forward. The number of families involved, around 250, is very significant - it is close to 10% of the total number of grandfathered cases. Very unfortunately, a very high percentage - as high as 95% of these families - don't know that they're in this situation. This makes it very hard for this group to advocate for themselves. Since most of the families are unaware of their situation, they are of course not taking any action to rectify it. This is very unfortunate for them - their adoptions are in jeopardy, and there is nothing they can do to help themselves because they are not even aware of their situation.
This probably also has a very unfortunate effect at the Consejo. As they see silence from most of the families involved, they probably assume that the families in this situation don't care. And even those families who do know they're in this situation are scattered and isolated. The legal opinion from Guatemala is that if this were to go to court, the families would most likely win, because their lawyers did do their part to register them with one version of the CNA. The case for these families is legally very strong. But the resolution to this issue has been slow in coming. This forum has been opened to allow everyone impacted by this issue to get together, communicate, and work towards solving the problem as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Yahoo Group name: CNAregistration
Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNAregistration
How would we know if our case is one of these? I don't know for sure if we received a registration number, but our case was moving through PGN and we had BM interview.
Posted by: Deb at June 3, 2008 12:28 AMGuatadopt and Families,
I know things are being worked on for abandonments but would it be a good idea for these families to contact the CNA about our situations as well?
My heart sinks for these families that are now unknowingly stuck in this mess yet. I dont understand WHY though they would not just be pushed through. Obviously they did what they were suppose to do and because of the confusion on the registration...they know these cases should just proceed forward.
Ahh, it just doesnt make sense.
Iam frustrated along with all these families. My heart aches for all those stuck.
From a family that knows more than they want to know about waiting the system out. We are going on 6 years. Dont give up!!! Your children need you. It is one of the most painful things a family can go through to wait and to have hope and then be crushed, and then have hope, the ups and downs are draining. I honestly dont know how we got through it and still enduring but I just know I love a little girl in Guatemala and I will fight for her until the day I die. If I give up, who does she have?? And if I gave up, I would NEVER have any peace.
Please know many are right there with you.
I have a question....where does that leave new cases? When the time comes, will they not be accepted until this is all straightened out?
KimP
Posted by: KimP at June 3, 2008 09:35 AMI have the same question as Deb...
Posted by: Diana at June 3, 2008 12:32 PMIf you had an interview, I am 99% sure you are registered with the current CNA.
Everyone needs to get their registration numbers and preferably a fax/scan of the form if possible.
Kevin
Guatadopt.com
Kevin,
Have you heard of any more cases being released? Any certain order info yet?? Thanks!
Posted by: Gina at June 3, 2008 06:22 PMKevin:
Any updates from your sources on whether files are still being released? I heard about the ones on Friday but have not heard of any others being released. Also, did you see the update from Joint Council...they made the visit but came back with no complaints. This was rather disappointing. You would think they would have at least asked for the files to be released on a daily basis. I really would like to know what is going on with the files that are being held. This seems to be a mystery. My agency is struggling as I imagine most agencies are that are dealing with Guatemalan adoptions. The longer the holds go on it becomes more of an issue as it gets harder for lawyers and agencies to run for free. It would really help if they started to release cases on a daily basis!!! Karen
Our agency had a case released today.
Posted by: Becky at June 4, 2008 01:29 AMKevin,
maybe we can start a Yahoo group for the few of us that are stuck in abandonments. I think as a "team" we can get some ideas going ang get something started as far as getting someone to help us. What do you think?
Also, have you heard anything about the abandonment forms?
Posted by: Terri at June 4, 2008 12:31 PMSo..is it impossible to apply for a guatemalan adoption at this time? My husband and I have been discussing this and we are very confused about whether or not we can even apply for a guatemalan adoption at this time.
Any information or suggestions would be helpful.
Posted by: sharon at June 4, 2008 05:09 PMBecky:
Do you know the status of the case that was released? I mean like when it first entered PGN..when it had the BM interview done? Also, was it an approved case or did it get a previo? I am trying to determine how cases are being released...Thanks. Karen
Posted by: karen at June 4, 2008 06:01 PMKevin,
I would be willing to be part of an abandonment yahoo group as well.
Have the abandonment forms been sent in? Any new news about abandonments??
Posted by: Audra at June 4, 2008 07:44 PMSharon,
No. You may NOT start a Guatemalan adoption now. It may or may not be possible to start one in the future. In order for new cases to be started, two things need to happen. First, The Guatemalan government has to decide if they will continue to do foreign adoptions, and, if yes, what the process, paperwork, and requirements will be. Second, The US government would have to agree the the process determined by the Guatemalan government does meet the requirements of the Hague Convention. If and when both of those things happen, then it would be possible to start an adoption. Of course, the first several cases in the new process would be risky in the sense that those cases would be testing uncharted waters, so to speak.
I suppose you could start the homestudy process and the US Visa process (I-800A?)now, but if so, I wouldn't count on Guatemala being open when your homestudy was completed.
If you want to adopt, and if you have decided you would prefer an international adoption to a domestic one, then if you really want to get going on the process, you should consider other countries. If you really want an Hispanic child, you might consider Colombia. Otherwise, consider a domestic adoption.
Good luck with your decisions,
Beth in MN
We just received news today that our case was released from PGN without any previos. Our birth mother was interviewed in the first possible week. Obviously thrilled, and hopeful that this means that other cases in order will be released in good faith.
Posted by: Tom at June 6, 2008 10:40 AMTom,
That is WONDERFUL news! Will you be able to go on to 2nd DNA and all that? Do you have news on what to expect next?
Posted by: Sheryl at June 7, 2008 08:50 AMThanks, Cheryl! Yes, the agency expects that it will take 4-6 weeks for the birth certificate to arrive from the town's registrar. We've been told that we will likely be traveling in 8-10 weeks.
Posted by: Tom at June 7, 2008 09:34 PMTom: Just curious when your case went into PGN? Were the BM and FM interviews one of the first completed? I am trying to get an idea where my little girl is in the process and no one is being helpful. Already one previo and now potentially a registration issue. I am so happy for you- you have been truly blessed! Do you have any advice for the rest of us? Contacts that you found helpful, etc? Best of luck as you wait out these last few weeks :-)
Posted by: Dana at June 9, 2008 02:20 PMThanks Beth
My husband is from Guatemala which is why we had hoped to adopt a baby from there.
I appreciate you clarifying some other options.
Posted by: sharon at June 20, 2008 12:35 PM