Guatemala Adoption Factsheet, Page 3
III. U.S. IMMIGRATION OVERVIEW
The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala issued more than 3500 immigrant visas in fiscal year 2004 to Guatemalan children adopted by U.S. citizens. The work involved in processing an adoption in Guatemala is significant. Both the Department of Homeland Security’s Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS/ICE) and the State Department Consular section have a role, with the division of responsibilities roughly divided as follows:
The Embassy DHS/ICE Office reviews all procedures connected to defining the child as an "orphan" under U.S. law, including reviewing documents leading up to the DNA test, the DNA results, and other information regarding the birth mother. The Embassy DHS/ICE office also reviews the Guatemalan adoption paperwork to certify that the American parents have adopted the child properly in accordance with Guatemalan law. Finally, DHS (either in the embassy or in the U.S.) reviews and adjudicates the I-600 Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative.
The Consular Section receives and files the approved I-600A Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition (also known as a Visas 37 Cable) from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (U.S. CIS) office in the U.S. The Consular Section also conducts the Adoption Immigrant Visa Interview AFTER the Embassy DHS/ICE office has completed review of the Guatemalan adoption paperwork and approved the I-600.
Credits: U.S. Department of State
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