Guatemala Blog : Plink

Joint Council Update

       Program   International Relations Initiative

             Date   November 9, 2007

    Regarding   Guatemala – Referral Recommendation

Dear Colleagues,

The new legislation announced by Guatemalan Congressmen earlier this week has caused many potential adoptive parents and adoption service providers to reconsider the issue of referrals.  Joint Council has also revisited the issue through consultation with the Guatemala Caucus Co-Chairs, members of the Board of Directors and adoption services providers, among others.  

While many positive indicators exist regarding the state of intercountry adoptions from Guatemala, many uncertainties remain.  To date,

·         the Berger administration has not announced a transparent process by which existing cases will be processed,

·         the Berger administration has indicated that all adoption cased filed post- December 31, 2007, must be processed according to Convention standards,

·         the Guatemalan Congress has not passed any adoption legislation

·         based on information provided by the Guatemalan government, both DOS and USCIS have indicated that both existing and new adoption cases cannot be processed without approval from PGN after December 31, 2007.

While we continue to work with our colleagues in Guatemala toward a swift and positive resolution, we also recognize that as of today, the continuation of Guatemalan ICA remains uncertain.

Given the lack of substantive action on the part of the Berger administration or the Guatemalan Congress, and in consideration of the announcement by DOS/USCIS, Joint Council continues to strongly urge all adoption service providers to reassess any decision to begin issuing referrals.  To date, we have not altered the recommendation issued on September 27, 2007.

We also recognize that some outside of the Joint Council community and a few within our community continue to issue referrals and accept new applications.  It should be noted by all that the vast majority of Joint Council agencies have made the decision to refrain from issuing referrals or accepting new applications.  Joint Council applauds and supports this decision.  We continue to urge all, both within and outside of our community, to join the overwhelming majority of adoption service providers in this decision.