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In response to the Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is actively screening Haitian children for possible humanitarian parole if they fit into one of two special categories authorized by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano on Jan. 18, 2010. The specialized categories only apply to Haitian children who were adopted or were in the process of being adopted by American families prior to Jan.12. For additional information on the eligibility criteria for both categories, please review the “Information for U.S. Citizens in the process of adopting a child from Haiti”, also summarized in the chart below.

Category Eligibility Requirements
Children being adopted by Americans who have been legally confirmed as orphans eligible for intercountry adoption by the Government of Haiti (GOH), through an adoption decree or custody grant Evidence of availability for adoption must include at least one of the following:

  • Full and final Haitian adoption decree
  • GOH Custody grant to prospective adoptive parents for emigration and adoption
  • Secondary evidence of either of the adoption or custody decree

Evidence of suitability must include one of the following:

  • Approved Form I-600A
  • Current FBI fingerprints and security background check
  • Physical custody in Haiti plus security background clearance
Children previously identified by an Adoption Service Provider (ASP) or an intercountry adoption facilitator and matched to an American prospective adoptive parents Evidence of a relationship between the prospective adoptive parents and the child and evidence of the parents’ intention to complete the adoption. Evidence may include:

  • Proof of travel by the prospective adoptive parents to Haiti to visit the child
  • Photos of the child and prospective adoptive parents together
  • ASP “Acceptance of Referral” letter signed by the prospective adoptive parents
  • Documentary evidence that the prospective adoptive parents initiated the adoption process prior to Jan. 12, 2010 with intent to adopt the child (filed Form I-600A and/or Form I-600, completed a home study, located an ASP to work with in Haiti, etc.)

Evidence of the child’s availability for adoption. Evidence may include:

  • IBESR (Haitian Adoption Authority) approval
  • Legal relinquishment or award of custody to the Haitian orphanage
  • Secondary evidence of the above (e.g. e-mail correspondence, copies, ASP correspondence)

Evidence of suitability must include one of the following:

  • Approved Form I-600A OR
  • Current FBI/FP and security background clearances

If you have eligible children for this program, please follow the instructions on how to schedule an appointment for an orphan screening by clicking this USCIS link.