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		COLOMBIA Adoption from Colombia is open, though subject to a travel warning (below). I haven't been able to find recent news on the status of adoptions. There is helpful information at the web site of David L. Gilles-Thomas, FANA Adoption: Colombia Information. [--Robin Hilborn, June 12, 2007 ] In its travel warning of Jan. 18, 2006, the U.S. State Dept. warned U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Colombia. Violence by terrorist groups affects all parts of the country. Citizens of the U.S. and other countries continue to be victims of threats and kidnappings for ransom or as political bargaining chips. At least five Americans were kidnapped in 2004, and at least one in 2005. The latest information on security conditions is available at 1-888-407-4747. Children may be placed for adoption only through the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF) and eight approved Colombian agencies. (There are no private adoptions.) Every adopted child must have a final adoption decree before leaving the country. Both parents must be present when the adoption is presented to a "family judge"; the process usually takes two to four weeks. One may return home while the other remains in Colombia until the adoption/immigrant visa process is completed. At least one parent should expect to be in Colombia for two to six weeks. [--U.S. State Dept.] ICBF has accredited 20 U.S. agencies and two Canadian agencies (Appel and Soleil des Nations, both in Quebec). See the list at the ICBF web site. In Quebec, Soleil des Nations is taking applications as usual but Appel has placed a limit on the number of applications accepted [--SAI, Sept. 2005]. _____________________ For resources on Colombia adoption, see Adoption Resource Central, Country-specific Resources. For more on adoption in Colombia, see Canadian Guide to Intercountry Adoption. Find an agency for the country you've chosen: Agency Chooser, www.familyhelper.net/ad/chooser.html Descriptions of agency programs are at Adoption Agencies, www.familyhelper.net/arc/agy.html PERMISSION TO REPRINT You may reprint this item with the credit: "From Family Helper, www.familyhelper.net" Country News is written by Robin Hilborn, author of Family Helper, www.familyhelper.net