We’re Doing Hague Training
Posted February 23rd, 2009
Long update coming… but worth it when you stick with it.
As of today, we’re right in the middle of 8-10 hours (each) of online training, called “Hague Training” during this stage of our waiting. Thank the Lord for online, web-training and high-speed internet from the house. 
Hague Training is mandated by U.S. Immigration (USIS), and is a requirement prior to getting the last stage of U.S. approvals that international adoption parents need. When we finish this web-training, both our adoption agency and the USIS gets notified.
Basically, the U.S. adheres to Hague Standards, which both safeguard and standardize international adoption processes. Back in 1993, the Hague Adoption Convention was formed. It now applies to all adoptions between the United States and other countries that have joined.
Adoption Fingerprints Again
Posted February 19th, 2009
International adoption from El Salvador (and any country) would be easy if it wasn’t for the U.S.A.
Back on May 22, 2007, we had our fingerprints scanned for U.S. Immigration–a requirement when you are adopting internationally so they can check to make sure you’re not some deranged nutjob.
Problem is: Bureacracy. Remember I keep telling you about patience?
What Salvadorans Eat
Posted February 6th, 2009
Did you know…?
One question I get asked (a lot) is: What do people in El Salvador eat?
Sheesh people…. like eating is important or something.
Well, I found this cool photo gallery that sums it up for you visually (click the picture above).
El Salvador Adoption Statistics
Posted February 2nd, 2009
Question: Over the past 10 years, how many El Salvador children have ever been adopted in the U.S.?
Answer: Look at this chart on El Salvador adoptions.
It’s from the U.S. State Department of yearly adoptions from this country since 1998.
The U.S. State Dept. oversees all adoptions, and grants permission to adopt via the USCIS I-800 form, which you must apply for (we’re waiting on our approval).
The State department doesn’t mince words about adopting from El Salvador, either. Here’s what their site says:
The process for international adoptions in El Salvador can be lengthy and complicated for prospective adoptive parents. The Salvadoran authorities responsible for administering adoptions are aware of the difficulties posed by the current process but disagree on whether current procedures should be amended. Some local officials are attempting to streamline the current adoption process, but others prefer to leave current practices unchanged. The causes the country’s procedures to be applied inconsistently and the experience of one adopting couple or parent may not be the same as that of another.
Did you know… ?
Adoption between the United States and El Salvador is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore to adopt from El Salvador, you must first be found eligible to adopt by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government agency responsible for making this determination is the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).