DOS Publishes Final Rule on Intercountry Adoptions

DOS published a final rule on intercountry adoptions pursuant to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Convention) and the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (IAA). (72 FR 61301, 10/30/07).

The rule entitled “ Classification of Aliens as Children of United States Citizens Based on Intercountry Adoptions Under the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (“Convention”)” establishes new USCIS procedures for the immigration of children who are habitual residents in a country that is a member to the Convention and who are adopted by a United States Citizen. The publication of this rule is a necessary step in order for the United States to ratify the Hague Convention.