Adoption in West Virginia? Law, news & information

US DOS list of international adoption numbers for the last ten years

2009-05-18T14:42:00Z

Follow the link below to see the total adoptions to the United States for the last ten years. This chart was created by the US Department of State. Note how the 2008 adoptions decreased dramatically. Guatemala, China, Russia and Ethiopia were the top represented countries for international adoption to the U.S.

http://adoption.state.gov/news/total_chart.html

Submitted by Crystal Stump
www.wvadoptionlawyer.com
crystalstump@gmail.com

Hague accredidated agencies

2008-03-25T14:59:00Z

This link - http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/convention/convention_4169.html - provides a list as of 3/19/08 of the agencies which are accredidated, temporarily accredidated or approved as adoption service providers for Hague adoptions cases after the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption enters into force for the United States on April 1, 2008. This list can and may be updated.

Submitted by: Crystal Stump, an attorney in West Virginia concentrating her practice in adoption-related matters including domestic and international adoption (readoption). See her website at www.wvadoptionlawyer.com

US DOS lists concerns relating to intercountry adoptions with Vietnam

2008-02-07T22:44:00Z

At the end of January, the US DOS issued a list of concerns relating to U.S. citizens adopting from Vietnam. That list may be found at http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/intercountry/intercountry_3940.html.

As well, on the same date, the USDOS also issued a WARNING relating to Vietnam as well. That warning may be found at http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/intercountry/intercountry_3939.html.

Submitted by Crystal S. Stump, an attorney in West Virginia concentrating her law practice in international adoption, readoption, and domestic adoption matters. www.wvadoptionlawyer.com
Email her at: cstump@wvadoptionlawyer.com

2nd DNA test required by US in Guatemalan Adoptions

2007-09-01T16:16:00Z

The US State Department has created a list of frequently asked questions and answers relating to the new relatively new requirement of a second DNA test for children born in Guatemala and being adopted by United States Citizens. The FAQ and answers may be found at: http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/intercountry/intercountry_3758.html

Submitted by Crystal Stump, Esq: an attorney concentrating her practice in domestic and international adoption in West Virginia. Website: www.wvadoptionlawyer.com

AF's list of best adoption books

2007-07-18T16:15:00Z

Adoptive Families Magazine website just released their list of best adoption books. You can check it out at http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=1472.

Enjoy!

Submitted by Crystal Stump, an adoptive parent and West Virginia lawyer who concentrates her practice in adoption-related matters including readoption, international adoption and domestic adoption.
www.wvadoptionlawyer.com
cstump@wvadoptionlawyer.com

2007 best adoption-friendly work places

2007-07-11T19:22:00Z

I thought this compilation by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption of the 100 best adoption-friendly work places for 2007 was very interesting. Take a look if you get a moment.

http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/ASSETS/F716B4D9C3D944008127F67CECDB8117/100-BestAFW-Table-2007.pdf

Submitted by Crystal S. Stump, www.wvadoptionlawyer.com, cstump@wvadoptionlawyer.com

Adult Vietnamese adoptees AP article

2007-06-30T14:57:00Z

I came upon an interesting AP article featuring adult vietnamese adoptees now choosing to adopt their children from Vietnam. The link is: http://www.pr-inside.com/children-orphaned-in-vietnam-war-and-r150661.htm

Submitted by Crystal Stump, www.wvadoptionlawyer.com

"Asian Children & Racial Identity: 10 Tips for Talking to Your Child "

2007-06-03T16:11:00Z

Rainbowkids.com, an internet site I enjoy visiting has an interesting article I want to share entitled, "Asian Children & Racial Identity: 10 Tips for Talking to Your Child" which was written in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech tragedy to help caucasion adoptive parents of children from Korea help their children. A link to that article is: http://www.rainbowkids.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=481

Submitted by: Crystal Stump, an adoptive mother and attorney in West Virginia who concentrates her law practice in adoption-related matters including international adoption, domestic adoption, and readoption. www.wvadoptionlawyer.com.

USCIS sets new fee schedule - International Adoption-related fees to increase

2007-05-30T12:13:00Z

The USCIS issued a press release on May 29, 2007 detailing the new fee schedule for immigration-related fees. The fee changes go into effect on July 30, 2007. The press release may be found at:   http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/FinalFeeRulePressRelease052907.pdf

The I-600A (advance orphan processing) fee will increase to $750.00 which includes the $80 biometric fee. It is currently $545 plus the biometric fee of $70.00.

The N-600 (certificate of citizenship) fee for an adopted child will increase to $420.00 from $215.00.

The N-565 (replacing certificate of citizenship) fee (often used if a certificate of citizenship is issued for an adopted child who immigrated on an IR-3 visa whose name is subsequently changed) will increase to $380.00 from $220.00.

The USCIS fee schedule chart may be found at: http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/FinalUSCISFeeSchedule052907.pdf

Submitted by: Crystal S. Stump, an adoptive mother and West Virginia lawyer concentrating in adoption-related matters, including international adoption and readoption matters.   www.wvadoptionlawyer.com or email cstump@wvadoptionlawyer.com

USCIS announces new processing times for Guatemalan orphan adoption petitions

2007-05-18T19:31:00Z

The USCIS issued a statement on May 17, 2007 announcing new processing times for Guatemalan orphan petitions. The USCIS office in Guatemala will now take up to 60 days to review initial documents and up to four business days to review final adoption documents. A copy of the full statement can be found on the Guatadopt website: http://www.guatadopt.com/archives/GuatemalanAdoptions051707.pdf

Posted by Crystal Stump - cstump@wvadoptionlawyer.com
www.wvadoptionlawyer.com

US Law, the Hague Convention and Guatemalan adoptions

2007-05-18T13:02:00Z

The U.S. Department of State issued a statement on adopting from Guatemala, United States law, and the Hague Convention. You may find that statement at http://travel.state.gov/pdf/T0440HagueAdoptionschart051607.pdf

Submitted by Crystal Stump, an attorney concentrating her West Virginia law practice in adoption-related matters including international adoption and readoption. www.wvadoptionlawyer.com

Russian adoptiions delayed as no US adoption agencies accredited

2007-04-30T21:04:00Z

On April 25, 2007, the U.S. Department of State issued a notice confirming that no U.S. adoption agencies have been accredited with the Russian Federation's Ministry of Education and Science. As a result, all foreign adoptions have been suspended indefinitely until accreditations are issued. The State Department notice about Russia adoptions can be found at: http://www.travel.state.gov/family/adoption/intercountry/intercountry_3229.html

Submitted by Crystal Stump, an adoptive mother and attorney concentrating her law practice in West Virginia in adoption-related matters, including international adoption and readoption. www.wvadoptionlawyer.com

Article: Naming and Renaming Our Children

2007-04-16T11:51:00Z

The magazine, Adoption Today, has a number of articles available online for your reading pleasure. One which I found interesting is Naming and Renaming Our Children. It is available for you to read at this link: http://www.adoptinfo.net/parentprep2.html

Link submitted by Crystal Stump, an adoptive mother and attorney concentrating her law practice in West Virginia in adoption-related matters including international adoption, readoption, and domestic adoption.

Media release relating to adoption issues in Disney's movie "Meet the Robinsons"

2007-04-09T17:26:00Z

The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute just issued this media release relating to Disney's new movie: "Meet the Robinsons."

MEDIA ADVISORY: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CALLING MOVIE `INSENSITIVE,' INSTITUTE ASKS DISNEY TO DISCUSS ADOPTION

NEW YORK, April 9, 2004 - The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute today called for an urgent meeting with Walt Disney Pictures to discuss the potentially negative impact on children and families of its new movie, "Meet the Robinsons," which is generating strong criticism in the adoption community because of its insensitive portrayal of adoption and, in particular, of an orphaned child.

"I'm sure the filmmakers were well-intentioned, but their apparent lack of understanding about the realities of orphanage life (and of the effects of rejection on children) led to a storyline that is upsetting many adopted boys and girls, particularly ones who spent time in orphanages themselves," said Adam Pertman, Executive Director of the Adoption Institute. "Many parents, practitioners and mental-health professionals also are worried about the impact the movie could have on children who still need loving, permanent homes and on the public's general perceptions of adoption."

Adding that "it's hard to achieve good outcomes with insufficient knowledge," Pertman asked for a meeting with Disney executives to explain the movie's problems, discuss what can be done to mitigate them and, most important, to provide information intended to improve future films involving issues relating to orphans, adoption and foster care. Experts in the field, as well as representatives of affected families, will be invited to the meeting, which Pertman deemed "very important … because this is by no means the only movie, or the only studio, that has generated this kind of controversy and concern."

The Adoption Institute has received numerous complaints about "Meet the Robinsons" since it opened, including from practitioners (some of whom have sent warnings to parents not to take their children to the movie); from adoptive parents (many of whom have reported their children became distressed, especially because the central character was rejected by more than 100 potential adoptive parents), and from birth families (particularly because the child ultimately chooses to reject his birth mother).

"I'm sure lots of people will defend this movie as simply entertaining and point out that it has a happy ending," Pertman added. "But when anything is this disconcerting for so many kids and parents - whether the reason is its treatment of race, gender, religion, adoption or any other aspect of identity - then we need to stop and think about whether there's a harmful downside, even if it's inadvertent."

The Adoption Institute is the pre-eminent research, policy and education organization in its field; it is nonprofit, nonpartisan and independent of any interest group. Its unique projects and programs include the only Media Education Initiative of its kind, designed to improve the understanding and treatment of adoption and foster care by professionals in the news and entertainment industries.

To learn more about the controversy over "Meet the Robinsons" and the Institute's work - or to arrange an interview - please contact Pertman at 617-332-8944 (office), 617-763-0134 (cell) or apertman@adoptioninstitute.org. The Institute's award-winning website is www.adoptioninstitute.org.

New Notice on I-604 requirements for Americans adopting from Ukraine

2007-04-06T20:27:00Z

Please see the following link to the U.S. Department of State's website in which they posted today a new update or notice on I-604 requirements for those American Citizen's adopting from Ukraine.

http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/intercountry/intercountry_3214.html

Submitted by Crystal Stump, an adoptive parent and lawyer concentrating her practice in international adoption, readoption and domestic adoption matters. www.wvadoptionlawyer.com

Reunion with birth parents - a brochure

2007-04-03T11:37:00Z

Adoption matters prepared a brochure to help answer some of the issues and questions raised by adopted people and their birth relatives approaching a reunion. The link is http://www.adoptionmatters.org/pdf/PlanningandApgaReunion.pdf

Submitted by Crystal Stump, an attorney concentrating in adoption-related matters in West Virginia including international adoption, readoption and domestic adoption.

Guatemalan Cultural Connection Event

2007-04-02T12:12:00Z

On Saturday, April 14, 2007 a Guatemalan Cultural Connection event will be held for GAFA of WV members. For more information, please email Crystal Stump at cstump@wvadoptionlawyer.com.

How to Assess the Reputation of Licensed, Private Adoption Agencies

2007-03-29T17:26:00Z

The Child Welfare Information Gateway published a list of steps to help prospective adoptive parents assess the reputation of licensed, private adoption agencies. The list can be found at http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/twenty.cfm.

Submitted by Crystal Stump, an adoptive parent and a lawyer concentrating her practice in adoption-related matters including domestic adoption, international adoption and readoption. www.wvadoptionlawyer.com
cstump@wvadoptionlawyer.com

USCIS proposed fee increase - comment period closing

2007-03-28T19:05:00Z

On February 1, 2007, USCIS published a Notice of Proposed Rule Making in the Federal Register that would substantially raise filing fees for most types of cases. If the proposed rule is adopted, filing fees would increase by an average of 66% over current fees. The proposed rule is subject to a 60-day comment period that ends on April 2, 2007. At the end of the comment period, USCIS will review and consider the comments it has received on its proposed rule. USCIS will then send its final proposal to the Office of Management and Budget for review. The OMB will make a final decision on the fee increase and issue the final rule.

Timing of Potential Increase

Fortunately, the "adjusted" fees will not take effect until the public has an opportunity to comment. The comment period was 60 days but is ending on April 2, 2007. The increase in fees should not become effective until June 2007 at the earliest.

Adoption-Related Petitions Affected by the Proposed Increase

Form, Petition Type, Current Fee, Proposed Fee

I-600/600A

Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative $ 545 $ 670

N-565

Application for Replacement of Certificate of Citizenship (used for name changes) $ 220 $ 380

N-600

Application for Certificate of Citizenship $ 255 $ 460

Biometric Services (fingerprints)

$ 70

$ 80

Together, Let's Make a Difference!

This can be fought, but it needs action by everyone in the adoption community. Please forward this e-mail on to anyone who would like to see the increase rejected.

Your action is needed quickly as there is only have a week left to voice your objections.

Submit Your Comments to USCIS by April 2, 2007

Anyone may comment on the proposed regulation. Those interested in commenting should take time to review the proposed regulation and formulate logical, potentially persuasive statements. Comments will be made public, as they will be posted as submitted at www.regulations.gov. One should NOT include any personal detail unless s/he is willing to share it freely.

While no one likes prices to go up, simply complaining about the increase in costs is unlikely to have an impact.

Comments must be received by April 2, 2007, and must reference the agency name (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services), as well as the docket number (USCIS-2006-0044). Comments may be submitted at http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main the Federal eRulemaking Portal, or via mail or courier, in hardcopy, disk, or CD-ROM form to:

> Director, Management Division

> U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Department of Homeland

> Security

> 111 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, 3rd Floor Washington D.C. 20529

Conclusion

Voicing your opinion makes you part of the democratic process, and this is how the U.S. government and legal systems are supposed to work.

Although most of us hesitate to publicly comment, the government really does carefully consider the content of comments, as well as the sheer number of those responding. When USCIS introduced regulations to reduce the time for B-2 tourist visits from six months to 30 days, for example, there were more than 10,000 comments. That convinced the USCIS to shelve the proposal. Remember, the key is the QUANTITY of responses they get. It should not be difficult to get at least 10,000 of us to comment. Please take the time today to do this.

This was borrowed from a post circulating on the internet to inform US Citizens potentially affected by these proposed increases.

Submitted by Crystal Stump www.wvadoptionlawyer.com

Spanish Language Word of the Day

2007-03-27T12:32:00Z

I recently found a neat website: www.transparent.com. This website is for transparent language "a resource for language learners - with games, cultural information, articles, quizzes, proficiency tests and software for learning over 101 languages. Whether you are an individual who wants to learn Spanish, French, German, Italian or any other language, or you are a businessperson seeking the best foreign language translation software, or you are an educator seeking language software for a classroom or a lab, Transparent.com has something for you."

You can sign up to get a word of the day in a number of different languages. I signed up for Spanish. You can sign up at this link below:

http://www.transparent.com/subscribe/subscription.htm

Submitted by Crystal Stump, an adoptive parent and a lawyer her concentrates her practice in adoption-related matters. www. wvadoptionlawyer.com