Vietnam program update - 4.2.08

Yesterday our adoption agenecy received news from USCIS that, effective March 31, 2008, they are requiring DNA testing for all adoption cases where the I-600 was filed March 31st or later and where a child came into the orphanage through relinquishment. This new process was announced in a memo to the USCIS field offices dated 3/31/08 and indicated that it is “effective immediately.” Based on the information we have thus far, it seems that this will apply to cases only where a child’s birth parents voluntarily relinquished their parental rights. This means that it should NOT apply to children who were abandoned or whose birth parents died.

Why DNA testing?
DNA testing is a tool that CIS has used in the past, most recently in Guatemala, when they were concerned that individuals other than the birth parents were actually signing the relinquishment documents. By requiring DNA testing for the birth parent(s), CIS is confirming that the person that signed the relinquishment document is the person who is actually legally able to do so.

How will it work? .
Once a family receives a referral and the I-600 is filed with USCIS in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), CIS will email a receipt to the family proving that they have received the I-600. Once the receipt is received, PSBI can request an authorization from CIS to begin the DNA testing process. We’ll send that authorization to the designated DNA lab, who will notify one of the two DNA collection sites in Vietnam. The collection site will contact Hang and her staff to set up an appointment for the birth parent(s) and child to come to the collection site. On the day of the appointment Hang or one of her staff members will accompany the birth parent(s) and the child to the collection site where their DNA sample and photo will be taken. The samples will be sent to the DNA lab in the US and processed. The results will then be sent back to CIS so they can complete the processing of the I-600 application.