Adoption & Lawful Status: What You Need to Know

This program provides essential guidance for attorneys assisting clients with the complex intersection of international adoption and immigration law. The course addresses several distinct scenarios, including the challenges of bringing foreign-adopted children to the United States, the immigration implications of adopting foreign-born children already in the U.S., and the documentation requirements for proving lawful status. Through practical analysis of age deadlines, eligibility criteria, and alternative immigration pathways, attendees will develop the knowledge needed to properly advise clients on realistic options beyond adoption, such as Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provisions, and asylum applications. This program equips attorneys with the tools to guide families through these sensitive matters while navigating the increasingly complex U.S. immigration environment and helping adopted children secure and maintain lawful immigration status.

Designed for family law practitioners, immigration attorneys, and general counsel who may encounter cross-border adoption scenarios, this course examines the frequently misunderstood legal frameworks governing the immigration status of foreign-born adopted children. Participants will gain critical insights into the significant legal hurdles families face when adopting children from overseas, including the procedural requirements under the Universal Accreditation Act and the Hague Adoption Convention.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify appropriate referral pathways and resources for clients seeking to adopt children living abroad, including understanding the procedural requirements under the Universal Accreditation Act and Hague Adoption Convention
2. Analyze the immigration requirements and age deadlines that determine when and how a U.S. adoption can confer lawful status on foreign-born children
3. Assess potential unforeseen consequences of close relative adoptions under the Hague Adoption Convention and develop appropriate counseling approaches for clients
   
4. Evaluate alternative immigration pathways for foreign-born children in the U.S., including Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), VAWA provisions, and asylum applications
5. Implement comprehensive documentation strategies to establish and maintain proof of lawful immigration status for adopted children in the United States