Asylum is an immigration benefit that allows people to live and work lawfully in the US if they meet certain refugee criteria found under federal law. Asylum can be granted to those who have been persecuted, or have a well-founded fear of persecution on account of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

You’ve seen the news about foreigners spilling across the borders, forced to leave their countries because of persecution. You know that U.S. immigration law allows people fleeing persecution to file for asylum in America, but you’re not sure how it works or whether your situation qualifies. Before you break out your suitcase and head for the airport, here are five common myths about asylum — debunked!

1) I can get asylum if I’m being pursued by a gang or other criminals.

While seeking protection from threats is indeed one reason people flee their home country and seek permission to remain in America, many people who think they qualify don’t understand the difference between being persecuted by criminals or being threatened with criminal prosecution—which could land you in jail—and being prosecuted by a nation-state for specific crimes.

“People say, ‘I’m in fear of the gangs, they’re going to kill me,'” says Anne Richard, assistant secretary of state for population, refugees, and migration at the U.S. State Department. “We try very hard to explain that asylum is not for criminal prosecution.”

You can seek protection from persecution by criminals under U.S. law through a different process—by applying for temporary protected status (TPS), which is available to people already in America who cannot safely return home because civil strife or natural disasters are keeping them from their native land. But TPS doesn’t provide any path to permanent residency or citizenship; it’s just designed to keep you safe while you remain in the United States.

2) I’ll go to the end of the line if I lose my case.

You can certainly apply for one of the forms of protection that will let you remain in the United States while your deportation case goes forward—but don’t expect to jump ahead of other asylum seekers or immigrants with pending petitions. For example, if you win asylum but then request withholding of removal based on a fear of returning to your home country, you still have to wait behind people who already applied for withholding before you did, despite having won an earlier status-based “priority date.” In fact, even though DHS designated January 1, 1990, as a priority date to determine which cases would qualify under its new rules covering spouses and children of people who had won asylum in the United States, that date only applied to those who filed their withholding applications after November 1, 1997. Even if you win your case for asylum or withholding or Convention Against Torture protection, the U.S. will not just open up its borders and let you skip to the front of the line—you could still be waiting behind others who applied earlier than you did.

3) I’m not sure I’ll be persecuted if I go home; maybe it’s safe now.

Even if you can’t qualify for asylum, you may still be able to return home—if the dangers have subsided enough to let you safely travel back. That’s why the U.S. government encourages people to seek out “post-flight determinations” that evaluate whether it is safe to return after being granted asylum, through either parole or withholding of removal. This process grants at least temporary permission to stay in America while your native country organizes the paperwork needed for you to come back and file full asylum claims from home. But don’t leave without checking first! If you are already here in the United States, DHS will not let you board a plane unless you can prove that you have this permission.

I am from another country in Central America-I don’t need asylum

Even though violence against women is pervasive throughout all of Central America, it is often its worst there because of high levels of poverty, inequality, and corruption. Women who are raped, for example, maybe unable to report it because they fear retaliation by their attackers or even arrest by corrupt police forces—much less actually be heard. Further, women who fight back against domestic violence face stigmatization not only by family members but sometimes their own governments as well. While these problems affect both sexes throughout the region, females are particularly at risk because men hold the majority of leadership positions in all branches of government, which means that whatever laws it enacts will be enforced unequally based on gender. This is why so many families leave not just out of fear—but out of desperation—when even one parent (or another older member) can make a credible claim to have experienced persecution. Fortunately, the United States has a generous policy of allowing victims of such persecution to resettle here if they can prove their case—and it does not matter where in Central America they may have originally come from.

4) I have family members in the United States who will help me.

Having family or other connections in America does not automatically make you eligible for asylum. In fact, it probably counts against you: If your relatives are willing and able to assist you financially and emotionally, they can also be asked to sponsor your application from abroad. That means that a relationship with a U.S. entity—whether a person, an organization, or even a state government—is considered evidence of your ability to resettle successfully without needing federal assistance. DHS officers assume that people with international support networks don’t need asylum protection as much as those who lack such ties, so having those kinds of contacts causes doubt about whether you really face a serious threat.

5) I won my case, so now I’m a legal immigrant.

Not necessarily. You could be allowed to remain in the country as a “parolee” for humanitarian reasons. This doesn’t mean you have been granted a green card, but it does mean you may be able to stay if you can convince officials that your presence is justified for emergency or other humanitarian reasons. Be aware that even if your application is approved, this permission to stay temporarily does not guarantee future entry into the U.S., and any subsequent request for readmission will still require normal immigration requirements to be met—just like everyone else’s. In rare cases, an alien who is removed from the United States via deportation proceedings may reenter immediately upon winning his case, but only if DHS did not appeal and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) orders reopening and remands.

For more information, you may ask or consult with Houston immigration lawyers.

Unlike some creatures in the cold weather, squirrels don’t hibernate. With the advent of winter, they look for warm places to live and store their food. They often infest neighborhoods after neighborhoods for this, especially in the northeast part of the country.

Although they do not threaten human health directly, squirrels often carry diseases. Their urine and fecal matter release harmful toxins. They can also wreck furniture and house structures by gnawing through the wood. Squirrel removal near me helps families to get rid of squirrel infestation in their houses.

Signs of a squirrel infestation

Scampering sound overhead:

Gray or red squirrels running about in the ceiling, and the walls make a sort of scampering sound throughout the building. Their claws scratch on the wooden surface of the beams and other structures. Flying squirrels can mostly be heard at a lower volume.

Noises during the day:

Squirrels are usually active during the daytime, so that is when most of the sounds can be heard. This is unlike a raccoon or rat infestation, which can be heard only during the night. However, flying squirrels can be heard in the evening.

Squirrels going in and out of holes in the building:

If there is a squirrel infestation, the creatures can be seen going in and out of the building through several small holes and openings. On observation, they can be easily detected in these spots – soffits, vents, chimneys, plumbing stacks, and dormers.

Checking the attic:

The attics bear hard evidence of pests that can infest a building since they’re the most neglected and vulnerable spaces. If the squirrels have reached the attic, it means that it is time to call the pest control services.

How can squirrels harm you?

A squirrel infestation does not threaten humans directly. But they can carry diseases like typhus, plague, tularemia, and Dermatophytosis. Parasites like fleas, mites, and ticks can also nest in their fur. These, when carried to humans, may cause encephalitis, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Squirrel bites can be extremely painful. They cannot cut through human bones, yet the cuts can be intense in fleshy body parts. The toxin released from their excretion can pile up in the building putting human health at risk.

Gnawing through wires and wood, tearing up insulation for nests, making nests in the vents, and cutting off the airflow can result in molds being formed. Squirrel removal near me can stop this destruction of property and poor air circulation.

How to get rid of squirrels infesting your house?

Although it is always the best and most needed option to call a professional pest control services worker, the homeowner can also do their bit in helping to reduce the chances of another squirrel outbreak. Some ways to stop squirrels from breaking into the building include:

● Trimming branches of trees till around six feet from the perimeter of the house

● Repairing chimneys, vents, holes, and cracks

● Calling a wildlife professional for detecting the damage

Conclusion:

Any pest infestation in the house can be harmful to the residents and incredibly frustrating for those with a squirrel infestation. A professional pest control worker can safely remove the squirrels, including any babies to whom they may have given birth. They are unloosed back into the wild while ensuring that the houses and buildings stay safe.

 

One of the top purchases for women swear shoppers is vlone collection T-shirts. T-shirts are a great choice for creating a women’s wardrobe. That’s because t-shirts come in a variety of colors, offer a variety of designs, and come in long-sleeved or short-sleeved options. You can also buy vintage tee if the guy you’re shopping for likes vintage designs.

Shirts are another popular women’s clothing option. In the past, sweatshirt designs were limited to gray sweatshirts, but now you have a lot of cool sweatshirt fashions to choose from. The most popular sweatshirt styles on the market today include hoodies and athletic sweatshirts.

A suitable women’s shirt option for a work environment is a sweater. Available in a variety of styles, they are easy to wear for professional attire or special occasions. Most merchants selling women’s wear also sell women swear.

To find the best t-shirt, sweatshirt, or sweater for you or the man you’re shopping for, you need to consider a few measurements. These measurements include the women’s neck size, shoulder width and waist size. These dimensions will help you find a women’s top that has the right fit and feel. In addition to finding the right size, you’ll want to find a style that will fit the occasion it’s being used and provide a style that women will love.

Shopping for children’s skater clothing and children’s clothing? Add style to your baby with a designer t-shirt, a cap with catchy phrases, or a unique diaper bag. We carry punk rock baby clothes, cool kid’s clothes and gothic toddler clothes.

Women usually like to wear simple t-shirts paired with casual jeans. Each of them has their own concept of simple and light attire. T-shirts are a must-have item in any women’s wardrobe, as daily wear or formal wear. Especially modern teenagers mainly like T-shirts. As a phenomenon, most of them prefer to wear a T-shirt every day. So considering the importance of t-shirts here is a better study of the different types available these days. You can also find the best t-shirt deals online.

• Polo T-shirt – the most adaptable women swear for any occasion. Whether it’s a formal function, a get-together, or casual time with friends. This t-shirt gives you better body lift, especially in the upper part, giving you the perfect look.

• Striped T-shirt – Stripes are always in fashion, whether for women or women’s. It’s always been trending for a long time, bringing a classic and fit look to every man who wears it. Horizontal or vertical stripes are no longer a problem. Because you can style it perfectly with shorts or jeans.

• Graphic T-shirt – A very versatile T-shirt with a graphic print consisting of a slogan, bold text, interesting fonts, stylistic illustrations, cartoons and other images. This kind of art is mainly done on the chest area or on the back of a t-shirt. Graphic t-shirts are most often paired perfectly with jeans and matching sneakers. There has been fierce competition among websites to offer the best deals on t-shirts at affordable prices.

• Pocket T-shirt – Another trendy t-shirt is a vlone women pocket t-shirt designed with printed pockets on a plain t-shirt. Pockets add style and can be worn on a Sunday evening or even to a casual party.

• Hooded T-shirt – Hoodies have been in fashion for a long time and are mainly in winter. Paired with faded jeans, this stylish t-shirt reflects youth. Many people prefer to wear a hoodie in any season as it provides protection from the hot sun and cold weather.

• Crew Neck T-shirt – One of the very old but still trendy t-shirts. Most women with small breasts prefer a crew neck t-shirt because the chest looks well-proportioned and wide.

Now that you know the different types of t-shirts, you need to choose the one that best suits your body and style.

While most people live in a place where summer weather is something to look forward to during all other times of the year, there are some negative things about summer weather, too. Primarily, summer is the time when bugs and pests come out in droves, which can put a damper on your outdoor or even your indoor summer plans.

Luckily, there are things you can do to keep the pests away, both through hiring a pest control company or by looking into more natural options. To help you with the latter, here are three natural ways to keep your home pest-free this summer.

Make Your Home Inhospitable

In most situations, pests only choose to come into your home because it makes for an easier existence for them. Knowing this, it’s worth your while to take any means necessary to make your home as inhospitable as possible for pests of all kinds.

To do this, you’ll want to start at the exterior of your home by blocking up all holes or cracks that could allow for easy entry. You should also remove anything from close to your home that could be a good place for pests to hide, like wood piles or bushes and shrubs. Moving to the inside of your home, you should strive to keep all areas clean and free of food or other materials that could look like a cozy home for the pests more common in your area.

Try Natural Remedies

If you’re needing a little more help with keeping certain pests away, there are almost always natural remedies you can look into that will be non-toxic to you and your family but will also be effective at keeping targeted pests away.

Some of the most common natural remedies that you might consider using, which will vary based on what kind of pests you’re dealing with, include things like basil, citrus, vinegar, dish soap, salt, cinnamon, peppermint, and more. Just make sure that the natural remedy you’re using has been known to help for the pests you’re dealing with.

Keep Food Contained

For many pests, what really gets them eager to come to your home is the allure of food. But since you have to eat food to survive, too, you can’t just not bring any food into your home.

The trick here is to ensure that any food you bring into your home and eat is properly contained so that it won’t draw in unwanted pests. This can best be done by cleaning up food as soon as you’re done making it or eating it and making sure that all food is stored in airtight containers that won’t let off scents of food or allow pests to make their way inside.

If you want to enjoy your summer without worrying about pests, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you see how this can be done.

 

Buying a puppy is an exciting time for you and your family, but the key is in the preparation. From puppy proofing to preparing the family, we have everything you need here to get you going with your new little addition.

Puppy Proofing

It’s time to puppy proof your home. Just as you would with small children, you need to consider removing harmful substances and poisonous food to dogs from the lower levels of your home. You could consider getting some child locks on cupboards under the sink with dangerous products that your puppy could get hold of, or baby gates to stop your pup reaching rooms they shouldn’t be. Be sure to tuck away any electrical cables, your puppy is adventurous and wants to explore everywhere, preventing the puppy from chewing cables and getting tangled is important.

Flea and Tick Protection

The excellent news is that Frontline Flea and Tick protection as seen on Wynnstay can be used on puppies from 8 weeks old. This means you’ve got a solid protection against fleas and ticks from a young age so if you get on top of it, this shouldn’t be a big problem for your little pup.

Image Credit: Wynnstay

You actually don’t need a prescription to purchase Frontline which is extremely handy for pet owners, however you must take into account that should your pup have any lesions on the skin or injury, as well as being unwell to avoid use until it’s safe to do so, in this circumstance you would look to contact a vet for some advice.

What Will I Need?

Take the following items into consideration before bringing your puppy home to ensure they have a safe space to relax, sleep, eat and play.

Crate: A crate needs to be big enough for the puppy to move around in at ease, including stretching out and turning around. This creates a safe space for your puppy to retreat if they feel they need some time out.

Puppy Matts / Puppy Pads: Puppy pads are the perfect solution to avoiding accidents as much as possible, although be prepared for accidents to happen, this is very normal!

Dog Food: Choosing the right dog food for your puppy will help them thrive. It could be a good idea to speak to the dog breeder and find out which puppy food they either recommend or have been using so you can continue using a similar food without upsetting your puppy’s tummy.

Dog Beds: Ensuring you have a good, comfortable soft dog bed for your puppy to sleep will make for a happy little one. Having a dog bed that is machine washable is also a huge benefit, this makes it easy for you to clean, as you’ll certainly be doing a lot of that! Wynnstay provides the perfect bedding for your pup complete with a removable mattress as well as ensuring pure clean comfort for your little run around.

Image Credit: Wynnstay

Once your home is fully equipped and puppy proofed you’ve finally created the best environment for your new addition. It’s now time to enjoy your bundle of joy, spoil them rotten and introduce some playtime.

Do you have Apple stock in your portfolio? If you do, you’re probably interested in an Apple stock forecast to see how the company is doing. If you own Google stock, you are probably watching it closely as well. Let’s look at the phones these two companies provide and see some differences and maybe some similarities.

If you’re on the market for a new smartphone device, even though there’s an abundance of phones that can be purchased, you’re probably aware that your choices come down to getting an iOS device or an Android-based device. Contrary to popular belief, comparing an iPhone to an Android isn’t as simple as comparing Coca-Cola to Pepsi. Even though they essentially provide the same functions, they each come with their own sets of cons and pros.

In this post, we take a closer look at Google’s Android operating system and Apple’s iOS operating system to see what are some of the major differences between the two.

1) Closed vs Open Ecosystem

One of the major differences between the iPhone and Android is that the iPhone features what we’ve now come to call a “walled garden.” Essentially, Apple controls the iPhone ecosystem which gives it the ability to pick and choose what apps its users are able to download. The company is able to do this by customizing the phone to disable it from being able to download apps from outside sources. Said in simpler terms, you can’t download an app without going to the iOS store.

Alternatively, the Android operating system is what’s known as an open-source operating system which means that developers and users have way more leeway when it comes to customizing and editing the operating system itself. Additionally, its open-source nature means that users are able to download apps from outside the official Google Play store. While this is possible on the iPhone, users have to illegally modify the device. Alternately, Android users do not have to bypass any security features in order for them to download content from outside the app store.

2) Security and Malware

As mentioned above, iPhone users aren’t able to download apps from third-party sources. While there are cons associated with this, in the same breath, it leads to higher security. Since all apps have to go through a strict approval process, you stand a lower chance of encountering malware from the iOS app store than the Google Play store which has a more lenient approval process. Additionally, since Android has no control over third-party sources, you could easily download a malware-infected app on the Android system.

3) Facial Recognition

While it may be true that Android brought facial recognition into the smartphone market first, Face ID is regarded as being more advanced and secure. In fact, many Android smartphone manufacturers proclaim that the facial recognition features of their device are less secure than using a pin number and that users should use it as a secondary security feature as opposed to a primary one. Alternatively, Apple’s Face ID is a lot more refined and offers better security against manipulation attempts, such as using a person’s photo to unlock their phone via facial recognition.

4) Battery and Storage

One of the things that Apple continuously emphasizes is that their devices are simple. This is one of the reasons why users are not able to replace their batteries or upgrade storage. On the other hand, Android users are able to expand storage and change the phone’s battery. The trade-off with this is that Android devices are viewed as being more complex, especially amongst the older population.

For instance, if an iPhone user wants to replace their battery, they would simply send it to the manufacturer and pay the associated fees. Alternatively, an Android user who learns that they are able to remove their battery may start researching what kind of battery to get. In order for them to do that, they have to ensure that they get a battery that was specifically designed for their model, plus they have to make sure that it’s the correct MaH. For people who are technically adept this isn’t an issue, but for people who like the simple side of things, owning an Android may prove to be cumbersome.

5) Smart Assistant

Android devices come equipped with a smart assistant that’s simply called Google Assistant. Meanwhile, iPhones come equipped with a voice assistant called Siri. Contrary to popular belief, scientific research has proven that Google Assistant is the most advanced voice assistant on the market. This was from research that was published by a nationally known firm—Loup Ventures. The study showed that Google Assistant outperformed Alexa and Siri. According to their results, Google Assistant was able to correctly answer a user’s inquiry 92.9% of the time. Meanwhile, Siri was able to correctly answer questions 83.1% of the time. To put things in retrospect, Alexa correctly answered questions 79.8% of the time.

There are many benefits to either smartphone. When you think of all that your phone can do, you realize that they are convenient technological marvels.

One of the reasons why so many enjoy the vaping experience is the wide range of flavors which they have available. In reality this is something which has completely exploded in recent years, as the range of flavors and the creativity which we see, has significantly grown to meet with the demand. In spite of the weird and wonderful flavors which people enjoy however, it has been some of the more traditional options which have continued to be popular. Menthol is one of the original flavors and it was one of the very first which vapers had the option to buy, long before any of the fruitier flavors came into existence.

Menthol is very much one of the most commonly used flavors in the world of vaping, and here is why so many look to use the very best menthol vape juice, as opposed to other flavors on the market.

What The Best Menthol Vape Juice Delivers

Menthol has long been popular, both in cigarettes and in vaping, because of the freshness which it can deliver, and that flavor is something which so many enjoy. There is a strong minty flavor with menthol and that is what offers that fresh burst. The very best menthol products are packed with flavor and they leave the mouth with a feeling of cleanliness thanks to the minty taste.

Hitting The Spot

Because of that sharp minty flavor, when you vape menthol there is a strong and punchy hit to the back of the throat, which is something that so many who smoke or vape enjoy. Of course the clear benefit of vaping menthol rather than smoking it, is that whilst you get that sensation at the back of the throat, you are not struggling from the health impacts which a cigarette will cause. Vaping menthol gives you complete satisfaction and the perfect experience for those who are looking to replace the sensation of smoking.

Products Which Deliver

When it comes to some of the stranger flavors that you can find on the vape juice market, not all of them are quite up to scratch. Unfortunately there are many companies who have endeavored to create a vape juice which presents a new and exciting flavor, which sadly doesn’t deliver on what it says it can. Many will look at these flavors as exciting additions, yet when the actually begin to use them, they recognize that the strength of flavor simply isn’t what they wanted it to be. When it comes to menthol however, this is a product which is easily created and which always offers a smooth and afresh experience of the user. In fact in some cases we have even seen menthol flavors mixed with others to provide a high quality experience for the customer, and flavors such as mint, choc-chip have been incredibly successful. Ultimately those who vape menthol know just what they are getting from the product.

This is why menthol continues to be one of the most commonly bought vape juice flavors.

Tens of car accidents happen on our roads every day primarily due to the negligence of some drivers. Unfortunately, it is hard to control an accident, but you can always control what happens after the accident. First of all, when involved in an accident, you need to stop even if it was not your fault. Driving off from the accident scene implicates you further whether you are the fault driver or not.

Another thing to always keep in your mind is never to admit responsibility for an accident, even if you are the fault driver. Note that your insurance cover is a contract that states that you should never assume liability under such circumstances. If you think you were on the wrong side, save that conversation for a car accident attorney Atlanta, ga. Here are a few steps to take.

Call the police

When a car crash occurs, there will most likely be casualties and even death in fatal cases. Check yourself for injuries if you are still conscious and check the other passengers involved as well. Call emergency police and notify them of the accident and the number of cars involved so that they can send over enough medical ambulances. Then, move away from the accident scene as a fire explosion is likely. Protect the scene by putting up an accident triangle to notify oncoming drivers of an accident ahead.

Seek medical attention

After an accident occurs, the health of the involved people is the most important thing. The emergency responders usually examine the involved people and offer first aid treatments before rushing them to the hospital. Even if you feel okay, you should ask for a complete medical examination later. You may have suffered an internal injury such as internal bleeding that may take a few days to manifest.

Give an accurate police report.

When the officers get to the accident scene, they will assess everything and record an official police report. Ensure you give the actual details of what happened, and if you are not sure, say so to avoid implicating yourself. Limit your conversation of the accident with the other party. Save that conversation for your insurance company and a car accident attorney. You should only give a police report to the officer in charge and do not admit any liability. If you don’t have any visible injuries, say you are unsure since you have not taken a complete medical examination.

Collect evidence

You also need to collect evidence from the accident scene as it will come in handy if the issue goes to court or when dealing with the insurance company. You can take pictures, videos and record audio conversations. Have a way of proving that you took the evidence during that particular date and time of the accident. Collect the other driver’s information, including their insurance details, car registration number, model, contact, and other helpful information.

Notify your insurance company

Let your insurance company know about the car accident, and they will tell you what to do next based on your contract agreement.

Consult with a car accident attorney

A lot happens after an accident, and the best thing you can do is involve a car accident attorney to protect your rights. A car accident attorney helps you with many issues, such as seeking your compensation for car damage and fair medical compensation for any injuries suffered.

There is so much which social media has brought us and it truly is the best way in which we can connect with people all over the world. One of the best things about social media is that it brings people together who share passions, and this is one of the most fun and entertaining things that you can do online. In particular sports is something which I follow on social media and from big bloggers like Stephen Stapinski Andover, I can get involved with talking about and sharing my favorite sports moments or opinions. There are many more just like Stephen who have created a solid following and who bring people together, and here is why I really love using this medium to talk all things sports.

Up to Date

Because of the fact that social media is so instant, you can get up to date information about what is happening with your favorite sports team. This could be injury and team news, it could be live scores or any breaking news in general. There is a reason why sites such a Twitter have become more of a news source than anything else, and that is mainly because of the fact that users are updating real time information. To be honest I enjoy this aspect of social media, especially when rumors begin to circle about player trades.

Venting Your Spleen

When you are sat at home watching the game there are things which are going to drive you mad and make you want to shout. This is all well and good if you are watching with fellow fans, because you can both cheer and scream together. If you are on your own however then there is nobody to chat to like this, which is why social media makes so much sense. Using social media you can vent whatever is on your chest, and share it with your fellow sports fans. Knowing that there are others out there like you, and knowing that they feel the same as you do, really helps you to feel part of the community.

Debating The Odds

As any sports fan will know, watching sports is not enough, we have to talk about it as often as we can too. This is why so many love to go to the bar, so that they can share some drinks and get locked into heated discussions about who is best, who is right and who is wrong. These days you won’t need to go to the bar for this kind of information and debate, because you can do it right there on social media channels. There is always someone who is going to thinking differently from you, and that is why it makes sense to get online and have a good argument about our favorite sports, teams and players.

Ultimately social media has added an extra layer to how we enjoy sports on the whole.

 

Bringing an adopted child into a “forever home” is a milestone occasion for parents. It represents the culmination of their most important life journey and months or even years of hard work and dedication. Before new parents begin the adoption process, it’s important they learn about the various options and are fully committed and prepared for the responsibility. Helping them on this undertaking is BCFS Health and Human Services RSD, a nonprofit organization with extensive experience with adopted and foster care children. The organization offers an array of educational, shelter, and care services at the local, regional, and national level.

There’s understandably a lot of “red tape” that comes with an adoption. There’s paperwork, background checks, court rulings and other procedures involved. Parents need patience to navigate an adoption, and to understand there’s a reason for a long process because it ensures they’re fit to raise a child. RSD counsels parents to make sure they’re ready for adoption by asking themselves some tough questions. For example, they should consider why they’re wanting to adopt, and if they’re emotionally and financially ready for the responsibility. Parent partners should have some discussions with themselves separately and as a pair so they can ensure they’re on the same page when it comes to their reasons for adopting and their plans for the child’s future.

In the U.S. adoptions are typically completed through an adoption agency or through a lawyer, which is known as an “independent adoption.” An agency handles more of the administrative and paperwork tasks of an adoption, so the independent adoption route is best suited for people that want more involvement in the adoption details. Many adopted children come from the foster care system. There are hundreds of thousands of kids in foster care, especially older children who need loving homes to help them transition into adulthood. Parents considering a foster child adoption need to complete specialized training to help them manage any potential issues and to ensure the child is supported as best as possible.

An important consideration for parents who are adopting to narrow down the characteristics of their preferred child. Do they want an infant? Are they willing to adopt a teenager or would consider a sibling pair? What about a child that was exposed to alcohol or drugs by their birth parents, or one with behavioral or developmental issues? Parents should have a period of self-reflection to determine what types of children would be best suited for their own capabilities, so they can ensure the child receives the support and care they deserve.