Ortega Law passed in Guatemala

Yesterday (Oct. 3) the Guatemalan Congress unexpectedly voted on, and passed, the Ortega Law. I won't go into what the Ortega Law says or does; if you want more information, click on the Guatadopt link on the left-hand side of this blog. Congress is expected to vote on various proposed amendments to the law next Tuesday.

If you want to call the Department of State, the appropriate person to call is Gerry Fuller (Unit Chief of Bilateral Adoption, Office of Children's Issues). His phone number is (202) 736-9130. Our main message is that we want DOS to push for an amendment that includes a clause allowing current in-process cases (like ours) to be allowed to finish under current law.

Here is a statement from Hannah Wallace (of Focus on Adoption, an intercountry adoption advocacy organization):

"The JCICS initiative called for actions next week. Next week is TOO LATE. Our information about the Ortega Law in Congress was incomplete and we believed that the Adoption Law would not be voted on before the run off on November 4. Now there are TWO THINGS which must be done immediately:

ALL adoptive families in process and their supporters must be notified to contact their congressional representatives on Thursday and Friday (by email, faxed letters and telephone calls) and ask them to urge the Department of State to assure that a grandfather clause is in place which allows every adoption to be completed under the law it started under.

At the same time, Senators and Congressional Reps should be aware that our Department of State has urged the Guatemalan Congress to pass an adoption law which offers no plan for (1) funding adequately (2) child care (3) services to pregnant women and vulnerable children and that the Guatemalan Congress will be discussing amendments on Tuesday Oct.9 -- the DOS should encourage - with the same energy with which they encouraged the passage of this law -- amendments which include a realistic funding plan, child care plan, and prenatal, natal and postnatal services as well as a realistic way for existing child care facilities to be able to care for the children in their care (funding).

Families should call and fax the Department of State directly to urge support for amendments which could make this law more functional, as well as advocate for a grandfather clause and a delayed date for the law taking effect, so that fewer children will be at risk."