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May 12, 2000 INS Holds First International Childrens Adoption Conference WASHINGTON The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) held its first International Childrens Adoption Conference this week, May 9-11, in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the conference was to provide an information forum for INS officers who deal with adoption cases in the United States and overseas and to exchange ideas with the adoption service community. "We are so pleased to be able to host this first-time, worldwide conference on adoption," said INS Deputy Commissioner Mary Ann Wyrsch, who welcomed the conference participants. "The number of adopted children coming to the United States from overseas has almost doubled in the past five years. It is imperative that we reach out to all who deal with foreign adoption issues to ensure that the best interests of adopted children are being served." Among the nearly 160 conference attendees were adoption program experts from INS (U.S. and overseas posts), Department of State, and Department of Health and Human Services, representatives from international adoption agencies, adoption attorneys and foreign government officials. The three-day conference included topics on foreign adoption processing, the home study process, citizenship and naturalization issues, and the Hague Convention. INS |
Last Modified 02/20/2003