On December 3, 2009 new laws intended to create a thorough nationwide child welfare system and an intercountry adoption procedure in conformance with The Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention were implemented in Cambodia. However, the processing of adoption petitions for Cambodia was still suspended on December 21, 2009 due to concerns relating to fraud, lack of legal framework, and lack of safeguards in Cambodia to protect children’s best interests. USCIS remains unable to approve any Form I-600. Further, DOS has reconfirmed that Cambodia is not currently meeting its obligations under the Hague Convention. Therefore, DOS is unable to issue Hague Certificates or Hague Custody Declarations for any form I-800. Adoptions will remain suspended until the new Cambodian laws are successfully implemented. DOS has noted it is unable to estimate when Cambodia might resume processing intercountry adoptions or when adoptions will be able to resume between the U.S. and Cambodia.
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