Abstract
Despite the numerous benefits of intercountry adoption, most families do not consider the possible health ramifications. Since adoptive parents are unsuspecting of ailments associated with foreign countries, a complete pediatric examination is a must after receiving the foreign adoptee. Such a pediatric examination will be effective when it is uniform and thorough, but without such an examination both parents and physicians remain in the dark about the child's health. Congress ought to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to require a standard pediatric examination for all foreign adoptees, regardless of the country of origin, as a condition to approval of granting immediate relative status to the adoptee. This Note proposes that Congress can effectuate mandatory screening of internationally adopted children through its power to regulate immigration and therefore, should use this power to ensure that all international adoptees receive all necessary screening and treatment.
Recommended Citation
Note, Intercountry Adoption: A Need for Mandatory Medical Screening, 11 J.L. & Health 243 (1996-1997)