Russia’s Plan to Bar American Adoptions Upends Families (1 Viewer)

President Vladimir V. Putin’s decision on Thursday to endorse a ban on the adoption of Russian children by American citizens dealt a serious blow to an already strained diplomatic relationship, but for hundreds of Americans enmeshed in the costly, complicated adoption process, the impact was deeply personal.

If the ban comes into force on Tuesday, as called for in the law, it stands to upend the plans of many American families in the final stages of adopting in Russia. Already, it has added wrenching emotional tumult to a process that can cost $50,000 or more, requires repeated trips overseas, and typically entails lengthy and maddening encounters with bureaucracy. The ban would apparently also nullify an agreement on adoptions between Russia and the United States that was ratified this year and went into effect on Nov. 1.

The bill was approved unanimously by the Federation Council, the upper chamber of Parliament, on Wednesday. Mr. Putin said that he would sign it as well as a resolution also adopted Wednesday that calls for improvements in Russia’s child welfare system. “I intend to sign the law,” Mr. Putin said, “as well as a presidential decree changing the procedure of helping orphaned children, children left without parental care, and especially children who are in a disadvantageous situation due to their health problems.”

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TheDemSocialist said:

Read more @: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/28/w...on-us-adoptions-of-russian-children.html?_r=0

This law seems stupid and pathetic. It seems that the anti-Americanism in Russia still remains. I see no point in this bill. If American citizens are offering children in Russia a loving family and a better life in the US why not allow them? Idiotic bill.

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TheDemSocialist said:

Read more @: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/28/w...on-us-adoptions-of-russian-children.html?_r=0

This law seems stupid and pathetic. It seems that the anti-Americanism in Russia still remains. I see no point in this bill. If American citizens are offering children in Russia a loving family and a better life in the US why not allow them? Idiotic bill.

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Chicago-area adoption advocates fear a pending ban on adoptions of Russian children by U.S. parents will adversely affect those adoptions already in progress.

"We're concerned that there about 46 children who have been matched with families here in the United States that that process is underway -- we're concerned that those adoptions now will not be allowed to go forward," said attorney Julie Tye of the nearly 100-year-old "The Cradle" adoption agency.

Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed Thursday to institute the ban in response to the United States action to freeze the American assets of Russians accused of human rights violations.


Source: Adoption Advocates Wary of Pending Russian Ban | NBC Chicago

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tech30528 said:

Given the results of the last election it is clear that the majority of Americans make poor decisions for future generations. Turns out Sting was right, the Russians love their children too.

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MaggieD said:

Tom's son and his wife adopted a baby from China last year. They were matched six months before the process was completed. They visited him in China...kept in touch via photos from the agency...it's as if they birthed that baby. Had this happened to them, had that adoption been blocked, they would have mourned just as surely as if that child had died.

This is heartbreaking for these 40+ couples...just heartbreaking.

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