September 8, 2008
Following our update of September 1, 2008, it is Joint Council's
understanding that the Government of Vietnam has issued a formal
diplomatic note to the United States Government naming a high
ranking Vietnamese official as Vietnam's lead negotiator and also
requesting that both governments begin negotiations towards a new
Memorandum of Agreement regarding intercountry adoption.
Joint Council applauds the Government of Vietnam for taking this
very important step and encourages the U.S. Government to respond in
a most positive manner. For more information on the ongoing
diplomacy, please visit the State Department's website.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
MOU Expires
Many have asked for an update ont he adoption. Labor Day the MOU expired. Below is from the JCICS concerning the situation in Vietnam and the expiration of the MOU.
Joint Council Update
Program International Relations Initiative
Date September 1, 2008
Regarding Vietnam
Today, September 1, 2008, the current Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
between the United States and Vietnam expires. As a result,
intercountry adoption is effectively suspended until a new MOA is
signed and implemented by both countries. Joint Council sees the
suspension of intercountry adoption as a tragedy for children and for
the families willing to provide a loving family to Vietnamese
orphans.
Joint Council and its Member Organizations remain committed to the
children and families of Vietnam and continue to work closely with
both governments. Completing existing adoption cases and putting a
new MOA in place remain the top priorities.
Joint Council remains confident that a new MOA is achievable
especially in light of recent events. Joint Council's A Child's
Right Campaign, the subsequent letter from Members of the U.S.
Congress to the Department of State, arrests of corrupt practitioners
in Vietnam, a discussion of the Hague Convention by Vietnam's
National Assembly, a joint statement by President Bush and Prime
Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, the U.S. Department of State's official
request for a lead Vietnamese negotiator and other recent events, all
demonstrate that both parties take this seriously and are interested
in resolving this crisis.
While some confusion remains regarding the processing of existing
adoption cases, it is Joint Council's understanding that if a child
has been referred to a family and that referral has been approved by
the Vietnam Department of Intercountry Adoption (DIA), the adoption
can proceed to completion. It is important that Adoption Service
Providers and potential adoptive parents recognize that a referral
may not continue on to completion unless the referral has been
approved by the DIA. Families should consult with their Adoption
Service Provider in making this determination.
We continue to seek clarity on all aspects of the adoption process in
Vietnam and have suggested that the DIA refrain from returning family
dossiers to their respective adoption service provider at this time.
Unfortunately many questions remain such as when a new MOA is in
place, will existing dossiers be considered valid. When this and
other determinations are made, we will notify you promptly.
Please know that Joint Council remains closely involved and will keep
you notified as significant events occur.
Sincerely,
Tom
TOM DIFILIPO | President & CEO | Joint Council
Joint Council Update
Program International Relations Initiative
Date September 1, 2008
Regarding Vietnam
Today, September 1, 2008, the current Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
between the United States and Vietnam expires. As a result,
intercountry adoption is effectively suspended until a new MOA is
signed and implemented by both countries. Joint Council sees the
suspension of intercountry adoption as a tragedy for children and for
the families willing to provide a loving family to Vietnamese
orphans.
Joint Council and its Member Organizations remain committed to the
children and families of Vietnam and continue to work closely with
both governments. Completing existing adoption cases and putting a
new MOA in place remain the top priorities.
Joint Council remains confident that a new MOA is achievable
especially in light of recent events. Joint Council's A Child's
Right Campaign, the subsequent letter from Members of the U.S.
Congress to the Department of State, arrests of corrupt practitioners
in Vietnam, a discussion of the Hague Convention by Vietnam's
National Assembly, a joint statement by President Bush and Prime
Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, the U.S. Department of State's official
request for a lead Vietnamese negotiator and other recent events, all
demonstrate that both parties take this seriously and are interested
in resolving this crisis.
While some confusion remains regarding the processing of existing
adoption cases, it is Joint Council's understanding that if a child
has been referred to a family and that referral has been approved by
the Vietnam Department of Intercountry Adoption (DIA), the adoption
can proceed to completion. It is important that Adoption Service
Providers and potential adoptive parents recognize that a referral
may not continue on to completion unless the referral has been
approved by the DIA. Families should consult with their Adoption
Service Provider in making this determination.
We continue to seek clarity on all aspects of the adoption process in
Vietnam and have suggested that the DIA refrain from returning family
dossiers to their respective adoption service provider at this time.
Unfortunately many questions remain such as when a new MOA is in
place, will existing dossiers be considered valid. When this and
other determinations are made, we will notify you promptly.
Please know that Joint Council remains closely involved and will keep
you notified as significant events occur.
Sincerely,
Tom
TOM DIFILIPO | President & CEO | Joint Council
Saturday, June 28, 2008
It is uncertain whether there will be a new MOU signed with Vietnam, which would allow adoptions to continue. Unfortunately, there has been no movement in our agency and the likely hood that we will receive a referral from our agency before September 1, 2008 is very slim.
As a piece of good news, our agency tells us that they are moving into a new country where we will be able to adopt from. The timeline on this is uncertain.
We know and believe that God has led us in the direction of adoption and while it seems that the adoption has been placed on hold for now we believe in God's perfect timing we will complete this adoption. We so appreciate your prayers for us through all of this and ask that you continue to pray with us going forward.
Ashley
As a piece of good news, our agency tells us that they are moving into a new country where we will be able to adopt from. The timeline on this is uncertain.
We know and believe that God has led us in the direction of adoption and while it seems that the adoption has been placed on hold for now we believe in God's perfect timing we will complete this adoption. We so appreciate your prayers for us through all of this and ask that you continue to pray with us going forward.
Ashley
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Sad News
On Friday we found out that the DIA (Department of International
Adoption) announced the decision to process all adoptions for those who
have referrals by September 1, 2008. Previously, the DIA has said that
they will process all adoptions for those whose dossiers are logged
into the system by September 1, 2008. While it is possible that we will
receive a referral by then it is very possible that we will not.
We are caught somewhere between hope and grief over the potential loss.
We expect to know more as the week unfolds and over the course of the
next few weeks. I will keep the blog updated as new information
unfolds. We appreciate your prayers for us during this uncertain time.
Adoption) announced the decision to process all adoptions for those who
have referrals by September 1, 2008. Previously, the DIA has said that
they will process all adoptions for those whose dossiers are logged
into the system by September 1, 2008. While it is possible that we will
receive a referral by then it is very possible that we will not.
We are caught somewhere between hope and grief over the potential loss.
We expect to know more as the week unfolds and over the course of the
next few weeks. I will keep the blog updated as new information
unfolds. We appreciate your prayers for us during this uncertain time.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
News
There are a couple of things happening right now that I wanted to share with everyone so that you will know how to pray.
Officials at Phu Tho are now willing to allow two investigations with 7 cases, including our two from our agency. While this may not does not affect our adoption directly it is good news and the bottle neck that exist may start flowing again.
Also, from our agency we have heard that the DIA has requested guidance from the Prime Minister on the handling of dossiers and referrals if the MOU is not extended
about 13 hours ago The US Embassy in Hanoi scheduled the next agency meeting for May 29,2008. 1 day ago"
Please be in prayer that those who have influence on this whole process, in official positions, that their hearts would be softened.
Officials at Phu Tho are now willing to allow two investigations with 7 cases, including our two from our agency. While this may not does not affect our adoption directly it is good news and the bottle neck that exist may start flowing again.
Also, from our agency we have heard that the DIA has requested guidance from the Prime Minister on the handling of dossiers and referrals if the MOU is not extended
about 13 hours ago The US Embassy in Hanoi scheduled the next agency meeting for May 29,2008. 1 day ago"
Please be in prayer that those who have influence on this whole process, in official positions, that their hearts would be softened.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Progress
We received a bit of good news yesterday that our agency shared with us. They are now licensed in two new provinces, Ha Giang and Lai Chau. We continue to anticipate good news after a very long wait and will continue to share good news, no matter how small, as it comes along. Thank you again for your prayers!!!!
Rob and Ashley
Rob and Ashley
Thursday, March 27, 2008
There has been movement in the world of adoption in Vietnam. I seems that there have been many families from various agencies who have received their approval and are getting ready to travel to Vietnam to bring home their child. It is good news and very heartening to know that the system that seemed to come to a grinding halt for part of fall and winter is starting to move again.
In addition there have been several agencies who have said that off the record the DIA has indicated that those whose dossiers are logged into the system will be able to complete their adoption. While the log in date for this is still a mystery it is still very good news and since we have had our dossier logged into the DIA since August 2007 I believe we will be apart of that group.
Thank you for your continued prayers!
In addition there have been several agencies who have said that off the record the DIA has indicated that those whose dossiers are logged into the system will be able to complete their adoption. While the log in date for this is still a mystery it is still very good news and since we have had our dossier logged into the DIA since August 2007 I believe we will be apart of that group.
Thank you for your continued prayers!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Many of you have been asking what is going on with the adoption and I wanted to wait until I have solid information. To begin with our agency is building new relationships with new provinces and working basically to rebuild their program after the events in fall. They recently secured a new license in a province where no other agency in working through. They are also working with 4 other provinces to secure new licenses and if obtained then our agency will be the only agency working there. They believe that they will be able to obtain 40 referrals in 2008. This is terrific news after very long delays.
However, it seems the problem now is in the larger picture between the US Embassy and the Vietnam. The inter-country agreement is scheduled to expire on September 1, 2008. There are working on renewing the agreement now but it seems that there is a great deal of posturing and it is likely that it won’t be renewed by September 1, 2008.
There are numerous rumors as to what will happen should the agreement not be renewed. Some have said that Vietnam will continue to allow those whose dossier is logged into the system by August 2008 to complete their adoption. This would be the best situation not only for us but all US families wishing to adopt from Vietnam.
However, the most recent report from our agency is that the US Embassy is pressuring the Department of International Adoption (DIA) in Vietnam to issue a public statement as to their plans concerning this issue. They have not made an official statement but our agency has said that the DIA is indicating a much earlier log in date. Since our dossier was logged in, in August 2007 that really doesn’t concern us personally, though we are concerned for others who are behind us in this process.
Most recently, another adoption agency issued a statement that the DIA has indicated that only those with referrals by August 2008 will be allowed to continue. This is of great concern for us. While we believe we could receive a referral by August there is no guarantee. While, at this point, this is only a rumor it is a very unsettling one. Please pray for us in this process that we will be able to complete the adoption by September. It is of great comfort to us that we have so many surrounding us in prayers through this process.
However, it seems the problem now is in the larger picture between the US Embassy and the Vietnam. The inter-country agreement is scheduled to expire on September 1, 2008. There are working on renewing the agreement now but it seems that there is a great deal of posturing and it is likely that it won’t be renewed by September 1, 2008.
There are numerous rumors as to what will happen should the agreement not be renewed. Some have said that Vietnam will continue to allow those whose dossier is logged into the system by August 2008 to complete their adoption. This would be the best situation not only for us but all US families wishing to adopt from Vietnam.
However, the most recent report from our agency is that the US Embassy is pressuring the Department of International Adoption (DIA) in Vietnam to issue a public statement as to their plans concerning this issue. They have not made an official statement but our agency has said that the DIA is indicating a much earlier log in date. Since our dossier was logged in, in August 2007 that really doesn’t concern us personally, though we are concerned for others who are behind us in this process.
Most recently, another adoption agency issued a statement that the DIA has indicated that only those with referrals by August 2008 will be allowed to continue. This is of great concern for us. While we believe we could receive a referral by August there is no guarantee. While, at this point, this is only a rumor it is a very unsettling one. Please pray for us in this process that we will be able to complete the adoption by September. It is of great comfort to us that we have so many surrounding us in prayers through this process.
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