September 25, 2007 - Joint Council is pleased to confirm that the U.S. Department of State Consular office in Haiti began processing visas as of late last week.  It is our understanding that the issue related to Haitian court decrees has been fully resolved and that the processing of visas will continue uninterrupted.

November 6, 2006 - The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has reported that Gabrielle Beaudin was appointed the director of the Haitian social services agency, "Institut du Bien Entre Social et de Recherches" (IBESR) on Tuesday, October 3. Prospective adoptive parents should expect adoption processing to be temporarily slower as the director settles into the position. The Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti, and Joint Council continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide additional information as it becomes available.

March 11, 2005 - The U.S. Department of State has issued the following travel warning for Haiti.

This Travel Warning is being issued to warn U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Haiti due to the volatile security situation, even though the authorized departure for non-emergency personnel and family members of U.S. Embassy personnel has been lifted.  This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued October 14, 2004.

Americans are reminded of the potential for spontaneous demonstrations and violent confrontations between armed groups. Visitors and residents must remain vigilant due to the absence of an effective police force in much of Haiti; the potential for looting; the presence of intermittent roadblocks set by armed gangs or by the police; and the possibility of random violent crime, including kidnapping, car-jacking, and assault.

Travel can be hazardous within Port-au-Prince.  Some areas are off-limits to embassy staff, including downtown Port-au-Prince after dark.  The embassy has imposed a curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., which could change periodically.  Staff members must remain in their homes or in U.S. government facilities during the hours covered by the curfew.  The embassy has limited travel by its staff outside of Port-au-Prince and the ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Port-Au-Prince remains extremely limited.  U.S. businesses continue to operate in Haiti, but take special precautions to protect their facilities and personnel.  The UN stabilization force (MINUSTAH) is fully deployed and is assisting the government of Haiti in providing security.  They have challenged violent gangs and have moved into some gang enclaves.

U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Haiti despite this Travel Warning must remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and are strongly advised to register either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ or come to the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince and enroll in the warden system (emergency alert network) to obtain updated information on travel and security in Haiti.  The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy can be reached at (509) 223-7011, the fax number is (509) 223-9665 and the e-mail address is acspap@state.gov.  Travelers should also consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Haiti and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov.  American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States or Canada or 1-317-472-2328 from overseas.  In Haiti citizens can call 509/222-0200 ext. 2000.

October 13, 2004 - The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel warning for Haiti due to the unpredictable and dangerous security situation. U.S. citizens are encouraged to avoid non-emergency travel until the security situation stabilizes.

June 7, 2004
From the US Department of State:

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING ADOPTIONS IN HAITI

The Department of State is aware that many American parents are in the process of adopting children from Haiti and are naturally concerned about the current situation in that country. We want to remain in contact with adoptive families to advise them of updates to the situation in Haiti and to answer their questions.

The State Department strongly advises American citizens not to travel to Haiti at this time. The security situation in Haiti remains dangerous and unpredictable, despite progress on a peaceful political process and the presence of foreign security forces operating under a United Nations mandate. U.S. citizens are warned to defer travel to Haiti until the situation stabilizes. American citizens are urged to review the most recent Travel Warning for Haiti at http://travel.state.gov/travel/haiti_warning.html, and to monitor the State Department's website (http://travel.state.gov/travel/warnings_current.html) for further updates. The latest information on the security situation in Haiti may be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 from the U.S. and 317 472 2328 from abroad.

On Saturday, February 21, the Department ordered the departure of all non-emergency personnel and all family members from Haiti. The U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section is now open, and full consular services, including immigrant visa services for orphans have resumed although staffing remains limited.

The Department of State and the United States Embassy in Port-au-Prince have also agreed to the temporary assignment of DHS/CIS personnel to Port-au-Prince at this time. One CIS officer is currently at post to assist with the DHS/CIS functions.

Adoptive families are asked to contact the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince by email at papcons@state.gov; by telephone: 011-509-223-6440; or fax: 011-509-223-9665. Families may also contact the Adoption Unit in the Office of Children's Issues at 202-736-9099, or at askci@state.gov.

March 9, 2004

Notice from the U.S. Department of State, Office of Children's Issues to Prospective Adoptive Parents

Dear Parents:

We are writing to inform you of the latest developments regarding adoptions in Haiti.
Consular functions at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince have resumed on a very limited basis.  Our focus must be on American Citizen Services at this time.  Regarding adoption interviews, those who had appointments that were cancelled due to the recent unrest in Haiti have priority for rescheduling, if their dossiers are complete.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office in Port Au Prince plans to resume processing of I-600s via faxes to the DHS office in Mexico City.  As this system is untried, please be patient.  Some time will be necessary to iron out any problems.

Many crèches have reported receipt of funds from non-governmental organizations contracted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) so that they may purchase foodstuffs and other items necessary for the welfare of their children.

Haitian government offices, including IBESR, have not yet resumed operations.  We are closely monitoring that situation and will advise parents of any developments. 

 American Airlines has resumed service to Port Au Prince as of March 9.
The security situation in Haiti is such that we continue to  advise U.S. citizens to defer travel to Haiti, and those who are currently in Haiti to leave, if they can do so safely.

We hope this information is of help.  If you have further questions, please contact the Office of Children's Issues at askci@state.gov

        Sincerely,

        Office of Childrens' Issues
        U.S. Department of State

February 26, 2004

Prospective adoptive parents adopting from Haiti are encouraged to remain in contact with the Adoption Unit in the Office of Children's Issues at 202-736-9099, or at askci@state.gov. 

February 23, 2004

The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel warning for Haiti to inform American citizens that, due to continued political demonstrations and ongoing civil unrest, the Department of State has authorized the departure of family members and non-emergency employees of the U.S. Embassy on a voluntary basis. Private American citizens should evaluate their own security situations and should consider departing the country. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to Haiti at this time.

January 30, 2004

The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel warning for Haiti to inform American citizens that, due to continued political demonstrations and ongoing civil unrest, the Department of State has authorized the departure of family members and non-emergency employees of the U.S. Embassy on a voluntary basis. Private American citizens should evaluate their own security situations and should consider departing the country. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to Haiti at this time. 

November 2003

Expert from the U.S. State Department:

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti has learned that one of the adoption agencies in Haiti, Precious in His Sight (PIHS), has ceased operations in Haiti.

We are aware that adoptive parents who were clients of PIHS are concerned about the impact of this closure on their ability to complete their adoptions. The U.S. Embassy is actively seeking clarification from Haitian adoption officials about how they will process these adoptions.

Adoptions by U.S. citizens through other agencies have not been affected by the closure of PIHS.

We will provide future updates to concerned parents through email notification. Adoptive parents affected by the closure of PIHS who wish to receive email updates, please write to askci@state.gov or call (202) 736-9099. Please include your name, telephone number, and a current email address, if available.

September 2003

Haiti is one of the countries participating in the voluntary Adjudicate Orphan First pilot program through the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS).  Click here to learn more about this pilot program. 

To visit the U.S. Department of State's website regarding adopting from Haiti, click here.