These updates were made today to the JCICS website. It looks a little brighter since the DOS and the HPB have lent their support to the grandfather clause. Thank you to everyone for taking the time to send emails and make phone calls. I will keep up posted when I hear new information.

10/5 - Joint Council is pleased to confirm that the Hague Permanent Bureau (HPB) has now joined with Joint Council, the U.S. Department of State and others in agreeing that transition cases should be allowed to proceed to completion without interruption. It is our understanding that the HPB has now conveyed their revised position to both the Berger administration and Guatemalan Congress.

To date, Joint Council has not received a similarly positive and clear confirmation from UNICEF in support of grandfathering the transition cases. We have however received a response which we feel falls seriously short of supporting the best interest of children. The complete text of UNICEF's statement and Joint Council's response can be read here.

10/5 - Joint Council is pleased to offer additional information about the legislation process regarding Bill # 3217 in Guatemala:

Legislative Process: It is our understanding that the majority of bills passed by Congress require two (2) initial readings into the Congressional record followed by a third reading, review and vote. In the case of Bill # 3217, the third and final reading has been separated into a third reading and vote on October 3, 2007 and a final review and vote on or after November 4, 2007.

Amendments: At the time of the final review, each article and amendment separately will be reviewed/voted upon. In the event that more than 35% of the articles are amended, the bill would normally be sent back to the committee for review and approval. However, the committee has already approved over 60 amendments to Bill # 3217. Given that all amendments have been “pre-approved” by the committee, the number of amendments added will not impact the status of the bill or the ability of Congress to vote. The only exception to this would be if the amendments that are not pre-approved by the committee, exceed 35% of the total number of articles in Bill # 3217.

Joint Council is in the process of obtaining translated versions of Bill # 3217 and proposed amendments. Upon our receipt, we will provide an in-depth assessment of Bill # 3217 and the proposed amendments. Please know that this is not a speedy process and may take a number of days to complete. Joint Council will post our comprehensive assessment as soon as is possible.