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Senator Klobuchar Meets with Local Families Impacted by Policy Change Regarding Guatemala Adoptions

November Is National Adoption Awareness Month

November 4, 2007

St. Paul, MN – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar met this afternoon with local families and adoption agencies about the impact of the recent adoption moratorium imposed by the Guatemala government.  The meeting was an opportunity for Klobuchar to hear from families and adoption agency representatives about the problems they are now encountering and what can be done to help.

The meeting was hosted by Children’s Home Society & Family Services.  It also included representatives from Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota and Bethany Christian Services of Minnesota.

“Many of these families have already traveled to Guatemala and met the children,” said Klobuchar.  “They know their names and cherish their photos.  But dozens of Minnesota families now face the devastating possibility that they will not be able to welcome into their homes the children they were planning to adopt from Guatemala.”

Klobuchar added:  “The goal is to have these kids in permanent homes with loving families.  We just have to believe that common sense and love will win out in the end.”

Guatemala recently informed the U.S. government that it will no longer process international adoptions after December 31, 2007.  The sudden cut-off date affects an estimated 3,700 American families currently in the midst of adopting children from Guatemala.  International adoptions can take up to 12 months to complete.

Last month, Klobuchar sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urging her to do everything possible to facilitate ongoing adoption efforts in Guatemala for families in Minnesota and across the country.  She also signed Congressional letters to the head of UNICEF and to the president of Guatemala requesting an interim process be allowed for pending adoptions to be completed.

“There have been some problems and abuses with adoptions in Guatemala,” said Klobuchar.  “I applaud the government of Guatemala’s decision to become a Hague Convention member and its commitment to ensuring safe, responsible adoptions.  However, I believe Guatemala can find a better way to make the transition to a Hague-compliant adoption system.”

Klobuchar added:  “This is not just about helping families in America who want to adopt.  It’s also about protecting Guatemala’s children in need who have a basic right to a permanent, nurturing family.  Many Guatemalan children have found these loving families right here in Minnesota.”

Minnesota is a long-time leader in international adoptions, with the nation’s highest per capita rate of international adoptions.  In recent years, Guatemala has been a leading country for international adoptions by American families, second only to China. 

November is National Adoption Awareness Month. 

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