Guatemala Fights Baby Trafficking Image

Everyone has heard the rumors that Guatemala is baby trafficking and harvesting babies to “export” them to American families. But, are these rumors true? “Critics say a shadowy Guatemalan system has helped lawyers, middlemen — and even birth mothers — collect sizable payoffs.”

Today’s Chicago Tribune headlines with Guatemala…I woke up to a front page…”Guatemala Baby Factory” smeared across my breakfast cereal and cold medicine. I’ve heard it all before so I’m actually immune to the headlines now but my family and friends are not. I get text messages, phone messages, emails, and phone calls…all in good faith because they know we are in the process of adopting from Guatemala, or better yet…were in the process.

We heard from our social worker again on Thursday with more news. The Guatemalan will vote on adding the Grandfather Clause into effect this week, thus allowing families more time to complete adoptions (The implementation date of the Convention will be April 30, 2008). Additionally, it may also allow agencies to refer children quickly and begin processing. However, the average time frame has been 10 months from referral to completion and after the Grandfather Clause is up the adoptions will be completed under the old system. Does this mean that the cases will be Grandfathered in even after April 30?

Right now, the debate is passionate, as pro-adoption lobbyists do not want to send Guatemalan children into the streets and Guatemalan officials say the country is becoming “painfully aware that is youngest citizens have turned into “merchandise”".

For more news and updates: see JSCIS