Update on Humanitarian Parole

Hi, Tom here…..

I just got this e-mail message from the Haiti coordinator at Bethany Christian Services.   I hope it helps those who need assistance……

Just a couple things….

1)  One thing we were waiting on in regards to clarification for final paperwork in Michigan was if the Order Placing (document received during a domestic adoption) could take the place of filing for legal guardianship.   Bethany’s attorney, Kim Clarke, has indicated that Kent County is willing to cooperate, adding additional wording to the Order Placing which would meet USCIS requirements.  If you are drafting the orders for the court, Kim said to add under 8. "Adoptive parents are granted legal custody and assume responsibility for the adoptee." 

If your families are outside of Kent County, Kim recommended telling the family’s court that Kent County has indicated a willingness to issue and believed that it was consistent with the intention of the standard Order.

2)  When families get to the point of filing form I-485, a civil surgeon is required to fill out a particular form (please see "Immigration Guide for Haitian Adoptions").  Before these families go and have the appointment with the civil surgeon, please tell them to ask the civil surgeon if there are any required immunizations that must be done prior to the civil surgeon filling out the form.  We had a family visit the civil surgeon, and the civil surgeon would not fill out the form, as the child did not have all immunizations completed yet (and the family still had to pay for the appointment….).

Have a very Happy Easter!

Kim

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