Claiming American:

An inspection of the ethical implications of adoption and

detention of Mexicans in the United States

Kathleen Lantto
Loyola University Chicago
 How Mexican children enter the US foster/adoption system

http://pvangels.com/charities/images/5/5032.jpg
(Wessler, 2011)

Be placed into a state or private Be taken into the US foster care

adoption agency in Mexico by system as parents are deemed
birth parent(s) unfit to parent

Kathleen Lantto Loyola University Chicago

 How does the Hague Convention apply?
Transnational adoption aligns with the premises of the Hague Adoption
Convention of 1993, which uses goals aligned with restorative justice to protect
the wellbeing and interests of stakeholders.

Stakeholders in transnational adoption are the same as in cases of mixed-status

families where children are taken into Child Protective Services.

Policies surrounding immigration enforcement ought to reflect the goals of

restorative justice in order to protect these stakeholders from harm and to promote
their interests and wellbeing.

(Wessler, 2011)

Kathleen Lantto Loyola University Chicago

Hague Convention Treaty on Intercountry Adoption

In conjunction with the

Child Citizenship Act
of 2000

https://www.embassyperunl.com/hcch
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports.html

Kathleen Lantto Loyola University Chicago

 All humans are not best
Restorative Justice
understood as individual rights
bearers or property owners,
but as vulnerable
beings-in-relationship who
rely on one another for care,
concern, nurture, and
identity
(Jennifer Parks, 2010)

Kathleen Lantto Loyola University Chicago

http://kresge.ucsc.edu/commonground/academics/restorative-justice.html
Stakeholders in transnational adoption and their interests

Children Birth Parents Societies

Safety and wellbeing Autonomy to consent Protect wellbeing and

rights of all

Family stability Adoption system

communication and
efficiency
Belonging to a
community Laws upheld

(Wessler, 2011)

Kathleen Lantto Loyola University Chicago

 Children
Safety and wellbeing

Family stability

Belonging to a community/social membership

(Wessler, 2011)

Back http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Know-Your-Rights-Anti-Deportation-Tr
ainings-Support-Undocumented-Migrants-in-US-20170313-0004.html Kathleen Lantto Loyola University Chicago
 Biological Parents

Autonomy to consent

Social membership

Due process protected

(Wessler, 2011)

Back
Kathleen Lantto Loyola University Chicago
 Society
Social membership of families

Law upheld

Foster care/adoption system

Family reunification emphasis

http://educationvotes.nea.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/cir-ke
ep-our-families-together-girl-with-sign.jpg

Back
Kathleen Lantto Loyola University Chicago
 Policy Recommendations
- ICE/Judge discretion
- Rework DAPA legislation
- Know Your Rights workshops
- Parents, family members
- Social service providers
- Enforcement workers

http://fusion.net/story/315819/immigrants-are-making-their-voic
es-heard-on-eve-of-supreme-court-ruling-on-dapa-and-daca/

Kathleen Lantto Loyola University Chicago

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Kathleen Lantto Loyola University Chicago