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July 30, 2013. ICWA Case Continues. As we have reported, the Supreme Court ruled on June 25, 2013, in Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl, in favor of the adoptive parents in a contested adoption case involving the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). CAP was one of several amici in this case. We were very heartened by the Supreme Court's ruling that the South Carolina courts had erred in applying ICWA to this case. Since that time, the South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that the adoptive parents are entitled to custody, under a transition plan that would protect the four year old child. However, the birth father has now applied to the Supreme Court for a stay of the South Carolina ruling and Chief Justice John Roberts has asked for a response to his application which is due on Friday. For More Information see Lyle Denniston, "Baby Veronica" case back at the Court (UPDATED), SCOTUSBLOG (Jul. 26, 2013, 4:11 PM). July 25, 2013. Vietnam to Accept Applications from U.S. Adoption Agencies. The Department of State has announced that Vietnam's Department of Adoptions is accepting applications from U.S. Hague-accredited adoption service providers who want to be authorized to work in Vietnam. The new Hague-compliant program will be for special needs children, children older than five and sibling groups. The Vietnamese government has decided to only authorize 2 agencies to work in Vietnam. Until first, Vietnamese authorities have selected and accredited these agencies and second, DOS has determined that the Vietnamese program meets the USG's understanding of Hague requirements, U.S. potential adoptive parents should not begin Form I-800/A filings listing Vietnam as the intended country of adoption. More information on the Vietnamese program can be found by clicking here. July 23, 2013. Update on Russian Adoption. International adoption from Russia to the United State remains closed, a human rights tragedy to be sure for unparented Russian children. Therefore we salute the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for taking a firm stance against the closure. As Senator Roger Wicker put it: "Specifically, the resolution - the first of its kind for the OSCE - urges countries to settle differences in a 'positive and humanitarian spirit," with the goal of avoiding the 'disruption of intercountry adoptions already in progress that could jeopardize the best interests of the child.' Although the measure does not carry legal weight, it bears moral authority that I hope will advance negotiations between the State Department and Russian officials in the coming months. Above all, it affirms the positive influence of family on the life of a child." We salute the OSCE and hope that its action leads to a changed Russian policy. More Information.
Center for Adoption Policy (CAP)
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