Guatemala Adoption - this program is closed for all applications.

Guatemala has a long history with The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoptions.  Guatemala became a "Hague" country in a sudden decision by the Guatemalan government in 2003.  However, approximately seven months later the Constitutional Courts in Guatemala overturned their accession to the Hague Treaty after much debate as to the legality of the manner in which the government tried to implement The Hague.  To this day, Guatemala is considered a party to the Hague Convention, but they are not in compliance with Hague regulations. 

On November 16, 2007, the President of the United States signed the final instruments for ratification of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoptions and the Hague treaty went into effect on April 1, 2008 for the U.S.  (See Dillon Prepares for The Hague)  Since Guatemala had not complied with The Hague treaty by the time the U.S. ratified the treaty, it has become extremely difficult for U.S. citizens to adopt from Guatemala.  For more info, read "The Hague Convention: In Treaty We Trust." 

The Guatemala 5000 Initiative
Guatemalan President Oscar Berger announced plans to suspend all intercountry adoption with American families on January 1, 2008.  The Joint Council on International Children's Services (JCICS) strongly opposed such a suspension and has asked for adoptive families' support in their efforts to ensure that all children retain the right to permanency through Intercountry Adoption.  As a Joint Council member, Dillon is supportive of this effort and encourages families to participate in the Guatemala 5000 Initiative. Read more on Joint Council's recommendation for a comprehensive response to the proposed changes in Guatemala intercountry adoption and how to get involved.

For further information regarding current Guatemala adoption law and standards of practice,  please visit the U.S State Department's website.