Civil Rights
Block on Trump's Asylum Ban Upheld by Supreme Court
The current refugee crisis in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe has left many wondering how to help. Syrian refugees especially have been fleeing their homeland and making dangerous treks to Italy, Greece, and beyond.
Many efforts to help have been focused on adopting Syrian children, and while some adoption agencies have urged prospective parents to slow down, a lot of people want to go through with adopting a refugee child. If you are one of them, here are a few tips on how and where to start:
The United Nations has a strict policy on the adoption of refugee children, stressing that "refugee children in an emergency context are not available for adoption." The U.N.'s Commission for Refugees believes that keeping a child with relatives or extended family is often a better solution for the child's wellbeing than adoption.
Adoptions of refugee children will only be granted if it is in the child's best interests, and will not be allowed if:
Adoptions can be complicated, none more so than international adoptions. And a child's refugee status may make international adoption even more difficult.
Prospective parents should be aware of the additional rules, fees, and time associated with international adoption, and also be wary of adoption agencies that tout simple or inexpensive adoption processes. Given the U.N.'s stance on refugee adoption, those who wish to help refugee children may consider donating to a refugee family or giving to charities that specialize in refugee aid.
Before beginning any adoption process, especially an international adoption involving potentially refugee children, you should talk to an experienced adoption attorney.
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