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I'm not sure there is anything you all can do to help, but I thought I'd post here anyway. We are foster parents of three siblings, ages 3, 4, and 5. Children are US citizens. Bdad was in jail for domestic violence, recently deported. Bmom MIA (US citizen). Kids have been in care 10 months...caseworker was planning on filing TPR in early Dec. We found out that the bio family living here in the US has contacted the local Mexican Consulate offices to step in and send the kids to Mexico with their bdad. CW and DFC is against the move, but say that they can't do much to intervene. If bdad was not deported, or if the family hadn't gone to Mexican govt, state was prepared to TPR bdad and bmom. Now him being in Mexico makes him "safe"? Is there anything we can do? The kids have no real memories of their bdad other than witnessing the abuse against bmom and his arrest. Do not mention him much, other than that incident, which happened 1 1/2 years ago. Children have verbalized they want to stay here and live w/ us forever. They have no idea that this is going on, nor have we made them any promises and told them they were staying here. Is there anything we can do? Case worker "says" she's going to fight this and I know the Guardian Ad Litem was "very concerned" at the last hearing when it was thought that bdad would be getting a case plan when released from jail (before we knew he was for sure going to be deported). I'm not sure if there is anything we can do but wait and have faith in God, but I don't want to just sit here and do nothing if we have some options. Any advice? Thanks
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lakin11, I wish I had some advice for you. This sounds like an extremely complicated intercountry legal nightmare. I know how scary it is to have to fight for your children and the fear associated with losing them. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Please keep us updated and know that we are here for you. ((HUGS))
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Thank you for the prayers and thoughts. We are in the process of finding out what rights we have and if there is any rights to protect the children in this situation. They would be sending them to a father with a violent history (at least againt bmom) to a country where domestic violence is commonplace and fairly acceptable! We are going to try to advocate for these kids as much as we can. Thanks again!
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He's always been in the picture....just behind bars!! He was done serving his sentence at the end of Sept, but then kept in custody awaiting the deportation....so now he's a free man, just in Mexico! We have several people trying to help us gather resources. Possibly a lawyer, hoping to talk to him tomorrow in person. Just been doing the email thing with their foster care advocacy agency right now. Prayers are greatly appreciated! Thanks
Still no news.....just waiting to see what the Mexican Govt does. We looked at hiring a lawyer, but none seem to want to take the case on. Only 2 called us back of the 5 we've contacted. One was a family lawyer who said we have no case b/c too many Govt's involved. He suggested we contact an immigration attny. Immigration attny said this is NOT an immigration issue and to find a good family lawyer. Still waiting for a response from the other 3, but they aren't calling, so guessing they aren't interested. We are at a loss for what to do right now.....just waiting to see whats going to happen at our next court date first (early Dec). Hoping something will be done in the best interest of these kids! I'll let you know. My prayers are extended to all of you as well. I know your struggles are harder than mine. May God bless you with some finalization and closures in your adoptions.
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It sounds like a citizenship issue. If the kids are US citizens, should they be sent to a foreign country. There was a case of a Polish boy in Chicago who refused to return to Poland when his parents decided to go back. He got a lawyer and was finally given into the custody of a sister who was remaining in the US. Also, there were lots of lawyers trying to help Elian Gonzalez stay in the US because his mother had brought him here. Maybe if you can just stall until after the election and things settle down? Also, try the ACLU. They have lawyers who aren't afraid of anything and frequently they are "pro bono".
We are also foster parents that were placed with a newborn from the hospital and his 12 mo. old brother. Mom is here illegally from Guatemala & both father's are here illegally from Mexico. One father never has seen the older child and the mother and other father were involved with dcs on a case plan for 18mo. and did nothing but visit. They were terminated on in Feb of this year. In court the father's attorney told the judge if he nor the mother could have his son then he wanted him sent to Mexico to his family, but the judge did not even acknowledge this and terminated on both parents. We have since adopted as of Oct. 23rd:cheer: I don't know if this helps since they have not filed tpr in your case. But maybe if DCS would go ahead and file then maybe they could be terminated on for abandonment. How involved is the family here in the US. Are they just saying they want the kids returned to Mexico or are they actually doing anything to get them returned?