Status on Vietnam Adoptions

Halle-Grace was adopted on September 1, 2008, the very same day that Vietnam adoptions were closed to the US. As Mrs. International, one of my goals was to not only see progress, but to somehow play a role in the movement towards re-opening the country and allowing adoptions from Vietnam to continue. Many of you may read this update and feel defeated? Personally, I see it as a light, maybe not as bright as I would like for it to shine…yet, I strongly believe that an ounce of progress is better than no movement! It inspires me and gives me hope for the future!
 

This photo of Halle-Grace was taken approximately 2 weeks before her adoption day.

And here’s Miss Magic (these photos were taken approximately 2 weeks ago) Wow, how my tiny miracle has changed!

Below is the most recent update from the U.S. Department of State regarding adoptions from Vietnam:

Intercountry adoption is not possible from Vietnam at this time. Adoption service providers and prospective adoptive parents should not seek or accept new (or potential) adoption referrals from Vietnam until an announcement is posted that the United States Citizenship and Information Service (USCIS) is again processing new I-600 or I-800 petitions for intercountry adoption in Vietnam.

 In June 2010, the Vietnamese legislature passed a new adoption law which took effect on January 1, 2011. The Vietnamese Prime Minister subsequently signed the new adoption decree on March 21 which took effect on May 8. Vietnam continues their efforts to implement the new law and achieve Vietnam’s stated goal ratifying the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.

 Vietnam signed the Convention on December 7, 2010 and has expressed its intent to ratify the Convention in July 2011 which means that the Convention would enter into force (and Vietnam would become a party) in November 2011. Under U.S. law, if/when Vietnam becomes a party to the Convention, the United States Central Authority (USCA) must evaluate whether procedures leading to the adoption of a child in Vietnam conform to the standards established by the Convention and the U.S. Intercountry Adoption Act (IAA).

 The United States recognizes Vietnam’s initiatives as significant developments in the renewed commitment by the Government of Vietnam to strengthen its child welfare system and the integrity of its domestic and international adoption process. Nevertheless, adoption service providers and prospective adoptive parents are cautioned that important steps must still be taken before Vietnam completes this reform process and before intercountry adoptions between the United States and Vietnam can resume.

 The USCA cautions adoption service providers that they should not offer or appear to offer adoption services in Vietnam until specific adoption service providers have been accredited or otherwise approved by the Government of Vietnam. In addition, under applicable U.S. regulations, accredited or approved adoption service providers may only provide services in a Convention country if the USCA has determined that the Convention country is compliant with Convention standards.

 The United States welcomes Vietnam’s strong efforts to create a child welfare system and an intercountry adoption process that will meet its obligations under the Convention. At this time it is not possible to estimate when adoptions between the United States and Vietnam may resume.

Visit  www.adoption.state.gov for updates and to find out status concerning other countries.

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Shannon Devine