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Klobuchar Works to Help MN Families Trying to Adopt Babies from Guatemala & Vietnam

May 5, 2008

Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar met Saturday afternoon with dozens of Minnesota families to provide an update about the current and future status of adoptions in Guatemala and Vietnam.  Governments in both countries have announced that they will end all adoptions by American families.

Klobuchar said she is working to help make sure families who have already begun the adoption process in these countries are allowed to complete their adoptions.  She encouraged families who need assistance to contact her office at 612-727-5220 or (toll free) 1-888-224-9043.

“These babies and their adoptive families are caught in the crossfire of bureaucratic and political disputes,” said Klobuchar.  “Many of these families have already traveled to Guatemala and Vietnam to meet the children.  They know their names and cherish their photos.  But these families now face the devastating possibility that they will not be able to welcome these children into their homes.”

Last fall, Guatemala informed the U.S. government that it would no longer process international adoptions after December 31, 2007.  The sudden cut-off date affected approximately 2,900 pending cases and many of these families continue to face difficulties in finalizing their adoptions.  Klobuchar has pushed both the Guatemalan and U.S. governments to allow adoptions already underway to be completed.  International adoptions can take up to 12 months to complete

Earlier this week, Klobuchar met in Washington with the President of Guatemala, Álvaro Colom Caballeros, and Guatemala’s Ambassador to the U.S., Francisco Villagrán de León.  She continued to press them to work with Minnesota families who are trying to complete their adoptions in Guatemala. 

In the latest development, the Vietnamese government abruptly announced last Friday that it will stop taking adoption applications from American families on July 1 this year. There are also reports that some provinces in Vietnam have already suspended adoption cases involving American families.  The U.S. Embassy in Vietnam recently released a report criticizing the country for corruption in its adoption system.

Last week, Klobuchar wrote to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urging her to do everything possible to facilitate ongoing adoption efforts in Vietnam for families in Minnesota and across the country.  Klobuchar also wrote to Michael Michalak, the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam.

“I recognize there have been some problems and abuses with adoptions in Guatemala and Vietnam,” said Klobuchar.  “I applaud their governments for wanting to ensure safe, responsible adoptions.  However, the best way to respond is through sensible, well-considered reforms, not by suddenly shutting out American families who are trying to do everything right.”

She 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.”

Minnesota is a long-time leader in international adoptions, with the nation’s highest per capita rate of international adoptions.  In 2007, Guatemala and Vietnam were, respectively, the second and sixth leading source countries for international adoptions by American families. 

Klobuchar’s meeting with the families on Saturday was hosted by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, and it included representatives from Children’s Home Society & Family Services and Bethany Christian Services of Minnesota.

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