Adoption Notice
kyivadoptions@state.gov
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
December 9, 2010
On November 3, 2010, a proposed bill that would place a moratorium on intercountry adoptions from countries without bilateral agreements, including the United States passed a first reading in the Ukrainian parliament. On December 7, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv learned the proposed moratorium bill has been scheduled for a second reading during the upcoming plenary session on December 16. As the plenary session does have several important agenda items, this schedule may be subject to change depending on the progress of each issue.
Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv was informed that a slight, but possibly important, change was made to the text for the second reading. The bill originally stated, “intercountry adoptions will not be allowed for the citizens and permanent residents of the countries with which Ukraine does not have bilateral adoption agreements.” The change eliminates the word “bilateral,” which may allow the possibility of multilateral agreements, like the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, to take the place of bilateral agreements.
The Ukrainian State Department for Adoptions (SDA) has indicated that adoption processing will be conducted as usual until mandated by a change in legislation.
The Department of State cannot predict the outcome of the second reading. However, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv is active in encouraging its counterparts to consider the Hague Adoption Convention as the best means to address concerns in the adoption process and to safeguard cases in progress. The Embassy is monitoring the situation closely. Any prospective adoptive parents with cases currently open in Ukraine are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy Kyiv Adoption Unit. The Embassy maintains a listserv to communicate with U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents and will use this to send updates as information is available.
Joann, for those of us that this applies to, where in the process do we need to be to consider ourselves in progress?? What if we are just ready to send off our homestudy to USCIS? And where do we contact the US Embassy? (What address or email addy?) Please let me know if you don't mind! THANKS!
ReplyDeleteHi Hope Anne
ReplyDeleteI think all adoptions in process would help to show how many kids are being pursued..and may help deter the vote. The email is at the top of the post to the left.
Thank you so much for these updates!
ReplyDelete