Another Update for Vietnam Adoption

Released Feb. 2, 2011

Intercountry Adoptions Under the Hague Adoption Convention

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced it cannot approve a Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative, filed on behalf of a child to be adopted from Vietnam. The Department of State (DOS) has determined that Vietnam has not proven capable of meeting its obligations under The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). As a result, DOS consular officers cannot issue the required Hague Adoption Certificate or Hague Custody Declaration.

USCIS can only approve a Form I-800 in a Hague Convention adoptee case after DOS has issued a certification of compliance under the Hague Adoption Convention and the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000. At this time, DOS cannot issue certificates in Vietnamese adoption cases. Until further notice, USCIS will not be able to approve any Form I-800 that is filed on behalf of a child to be adopted from Vietnam. Because U.S. prospective adoptive parents cannot complete the immigration process for an adopted child from Vietnam, USCIS strongly urges parents to not file any Form I-800 on behalf of a child to be adopted from Vietnam. USCIS also strongly urges them not to file Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country, identifying Vietnam as the country from which they seek to adopt.

The Hague Adoption Convention, which entered into force for the U.S. on April 1, 2008, protects the welfare of children, birth parent(s) and adoptive parent(s) engaged in intercountry adoptions. Effective April 1, 2008, new intercountry adoptions between the United States and other Hague Convention countries must comply with Hague Adoption Convention standards. Vietnam also ratified the Hague Adoption Convention and the Convention entered into force for Vietnam on Feb. 1, 2012. In the U.S., Hague Convention adoptions are processed on USCIS Forms I-800A and I-800.

Before the U.S. and Vietnam ratified the Hague Adoption Convention, Vietnamese intercountry adoption cases were processed on USCIS Forms I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition, and I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative. These intercountry adoptions took place under a bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Vietnam that expired Sept. 1, 2008. On Oct. 16, 2008, USCIS announced the U.S. and Vietnam would not resume new adoption cases until both countries signed either a new bilateral agreement or Vietnam acceded to and complied with the Hague Adoption Convention. See the Oct. 16, 2008, USCIS Update and Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

USCIS will promptly advise the public when DOS determines Vietnam can meet its obligations to the Hague Adoption Convention, which will allow USCIS to process Forms I-800 for adoptions from Vietnam.

Access the full article here.

New News for Vietnam Adoptions

The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption will enter into force in Vietnam on February 1, 2012, following Vietnam’s ratification on November 1, 2011.

The United States recognizes Vietnam’s initiatives leading to this significant development and applauds the Government of Vietnam’s renewed commitment to strengthen its child welfare system and the integrity of its domestic and international adoption process. We continue to caution adoption service providers and prospective adoptive parents that, to ensure that adoptions from Vietnam can be compliant with the Convention, important steps must still take place before intercountry adoptions between the United States and Vietnam resume. We further caution adoption service providers against initiating, or claiming to initiate, adoption programs in Vietnam until they receive authorization from the Government of Vietnam.

The Department of State will provide updated information on www.adoption.state.gov as it becomes available. If you have any further questions about this notice, please contact the Office of Children’s Issues at 1-888-407-4747 within the United States or 202-501-4444 from outside the United States.

May 19, 2011 - 1 Year Home

I know that the hanbok is typically worn during a birthday celebration but I haven't had it on her in so long that I wanted to see her in it and this was a good opportunity. We went out for Korean food. She ate and ate some Kimchi.
This first year with Aspen has been exciting and tiring and quite the learning experience. We've learned a great deal about parenting this time around. Coming into this with a toddler required more patience and creativity in working through the daily trials of a 2 year old. The most astonishing thing that occured this year was how well she bonded with all of us. She warmed up to each of us on her own terms and in her own time. It was tough to watch as the last relationships formed, taking months sometimes to fully develop. We couldn't help immediately falling in love with her and it was difficult when that wasn't reciprocated. But, she is now close to everyone and knows how to use each of us to get what she wants. She tuned right in on our weaknesses and she turns on the charm which makes us all melt.

It has been unseasonably cold and snowy and today was no different.





Aspen gives the best hugs in the world.




Daddy and his princess.





In order to get well posed pictures, we have to get a few "crazy" picture first. This is Aspen's "crazy monster face".





Daddy, Aspen and Shane





Shane, Blake and Aspen



Aspen and Vaughn.






No Hanbok is complete without a pink pair of cowboy boots. Quite poetic really.....two homes....two cultures....bleneded into one outfit!