Guatamalan Adoptions to Stop on 1/1/2008

Released today: Guatemala has stated that it will become a Hague Convention country on January 1, 2008. Guatemalan officials have informed us that Guatemala plans to require cases pending or filed after December 31, 2007 to meet Hague standards, even if the adoption procedures commenced before that date. They have also informed us they will not process adoptions for non-Hague member countries after December 31. We understand this to mean that Guatemala will stop processing adoptions to the United States beginning January 1, 2008, until U.S. accession to the Hague Convention takes effect. Given the average time frame for completing an adoption in Guatemala, cases started now cannot be completed before January 1, 2008.

Today is a such a sad day for everyone involved with Guatamalan adoptions. Mostly, for the wonderful children and amazing men and women (adopting and allowing their children to be adopted) I think I can speak for most of the people we know that are in process or have completed an adoption-from the moment you receive the picture they are YOUR children. The thought of all these children and waiting families going through potentially months/years of waiting is heartbreaking. I'm sure like everything else in life you have the good with the bad and there probably is corruption among the thousands of adoptions that take place. It is my firm belief that if this does in fact occur, it is the exception as opposed to the rule. Not only did I live in Guatemala for a period of time, but I know quite a few people that have adopted and I do not know of one case that involves corruption. I'm all for making the process better and more efficient, but to shut this down is cruel. If only the individuals making these decisions were in the shoes of the people and children that will be waiting for them. Mia and Mazlin have changed our lives forever. I couldn't help but think of this the whole time we were bathing them and putting them to bed. Everyone in process deserves to experience this love.