4/1/2010- Sires Hosts International Adoption Roundtable
For Immediate Release Contact: Erica Daughtrey
April 1, 2010 201-222-2828
Washington, D.C.—On March 30, 2010, Congressman Sires hosted a roundtable to facilitate discussion of the safety, transparency and accountability of international adoption amongst congressional, governmental and non-governmental organizations. Stakeholders from across federal departments and agencies and national and international organizations gathered to discuss international adoption fraud and to exchange ideas for potential solutions.
“Inter-country adoption has the potential to place needy children in loving homes, but weak institutions and the prospect of profit can lead to fraudulent acts,” said Congressman Sires. “Fraud exploits the children and families that adoption is designed to help and the United States must do its part in working to strengthen inter-country adoption practices.”
Representatives from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of State, the Department of Justice and the Center on Adoption Policy presented on various aspects of international adoption, such as prevention of fraud, prosecution of fraud, international adoption treaties, and domestic law. Specifically, the discussion and presentations concentrated on two proposals to help combat international adoption fraud: the possibility of accreditation for all adoption service providers in the United States as outlined in the Hague Convention, an international agreement on inter-country adoption, and how federal laws could better deter fraudulent practices and assist in the prosecution of illegal inter-country adoption.
“I’m glad to hear of the high level of consensus at the meeting on the need to address adoption fraud,” said Congressman Sires. “I look forward to exploring legislation that would improve transparency and oversight in the inter-country adoption process.”
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