Since the 1950’s, when international adoption first began with children from Korea, it has sometimes been questioned, misunderstood, controversial and always complicated. International adoption can also elicit powerfully passionate opinions, and understandably, that includes issues regarding the Hague Convention. Concern regarding the impact of Hague Ratification and what it will mean to families in the US who wish to adopt from abroad is reasonable. However, it is also crucial for adoptive families, adoptees, advocates and agencies to react and form opinions based on clear and accurate information.
    Ratification of the Hague Treaty is one of the most critical issues to affect the future of the children and families who come together through international adoption. In 1999, more than 16,000 families in the US adopted children internationally. More than any other country.
    For those who are concerned about the risks of the US ratifying the Hague, the far greater risk is that US families will no longer be allowed to adopt by those countries who ratify. At this time, the countries voicing this concern and making this threat are the smaller sending countries and the impact has been minimal. However, several of the larger countries are now in the process of ratification, or moving toward ratification, including Korea, Russia and China. It is expected that these countries will have enormous influence on other countries who are likely to follow the lead of these larger sending countries.
    Since the early 1990’s, child welfare and adoption organizations representing diverse and opposing views and policies on a variety of adoption issues, have been meeting to ensure the process of ratification is reasonable, fair, and effective. Every possible issue regarding the Hague was discussed during this seven year process. Most of these organizations are child welfare organizations who do not place children for adoption and will not directly benefit from this process.
    In the last four years, key staff representing the Congressional Committees responsible for the Hague have spent countless hours learning the process of adoption, working with the Department of State, INS, HHS, and soliciting the views and concerns of any individuals or organizations wanting to express them. It was the strong reaction from the adoption community which prompted the significant changes in the amended versions of H.R. 2909 and S. 682.
    In spite of major differences regarding adoption practice, most of the leading national child welfare and adoption organizations have come together in strong support of Hague ratification. Hopefully, this broad support provides assurance that the Hague is both reasonable and necessary. If the Hague is ratified, as the regulations are drafted, all outside input will be both solicited and welcome.