WARNING to parents and adoptees

Background: I adopted my daughter in the 1980's from El Salvador. The adoption was finalized in El Salvador and when we returned to the US we had it finalized again here (as advised by the agency). There was the whole homestudy by DFCS, hire attorney, go before judge, get adoption decree and get new birth certificate issued, showing me as parent. This BC was used to enroll her in school, get her driver's license, etc. for over 20 years.Last Week: My daughter had her purse stolen and had to go to the GA State Patrol to obtain a new ID. We took the BC as we were told over the phone. Same, worn, folded original that we have used for years. We were kept waiting for an hour, then taken in the back room. We were told the BC was "fraudulent" because I was not the mother. I explained she was adopted. The storm trooper -- sorry, state trooper -- said adoptees should not have been issued a BC. She seized the document, demanded to see my ID, and said we were both being reported to the state office for possession of a fraudulent document. I protested that it had been issued by the state of GA and used for years. She said "Things have changed since 9/11!"Wasn't "9/11" three years ago? We used that BC last year to get her Driver's licence renewed. I think what has changed is America's attitude toward people of color. Homeland security has made it a crime not to be white.PostScript: The Security office will take at least 10 days -- maybe more --to investigate our case. We cannot obtain any ID for her until after the case is settled. I would advise all parents of non-white children to get passports and keep them up-to-date so you can prove citizenship.