Some stories keep me up at night. Some stories shake me to my very core. Last night I learned more about Navajo adoptee Leland Morrill who is one of 10 Native American children adopted by one Mormon family.
How does this happen? 10 kids? Did adopting this many children offer some form of financial gain? Or was there a religious conversion planned? His adoptive father worked for the Church of Latter-Day Saints education systems and retired recently after 40 years. Lee's sister Virginia (also Navajo) was fostered two years then adopted with Leland. The day after their adoption was finalized, the family moved to Ontario, where they proceeded to adopt Shaun who is a mixed blood and seven who are Ojibwe Canadians: Sheila, Debbie, Cindy, Robert, Sharon, Keith and Adam who are all siblings.
Lee had the misfortune of losing his wallet which led to his discovery that his adoptive parents did not have the legal paperwork or proof of his citizenship in his Navajo tribal nation.
He said on his blog, "So, in January 2010, I visited the DMV. I filled out the application to replace my drivers license only and went up to use my Navajo Nation Final Judgement of Adoption and Social Security card as proof to get the replacement and was denied. New procedures had taken place on January 1, 2010 under the Real ID Act of 2005. I now was required to produce a state-issued birth certificate. I had none, as the Tribal Court of the Navajo Tribe Judicial District of Chinle Arizona had adopted me without any other documentation ...my only documentation: Final Judgment of Adoption. IT WAS THEN I REALIZED I AM AN ILLEGAL ALIEN."
I am sure this story will unravel in Leland's favor, as to his citizenship. He has been in contact with his Kirk relatives regularly on the Navajo reservation and I will post my interview with Leland very soon.
More news: Here is a story about an adoptee from India who may be deported....
...an example of international adoption meets immigration... Schultz is facing possible deportation to India due to his adoptive parent’s not getting him citizenship. His adoptive mother is white, and his case is quite unique in that he is Mormon, speaks only English and know nothing about his country, India or his culture. Read his story here: http://kadnexus.wordpress.com/2007/03/29/indian-american-transracial-adoptee-faces-deportation-for-criminal-record/
Can it happen... will adoptees can be targeted for deportation when their adopters do not finalize their US citizenship? Only time will tell.
How does this happen? 10 kids? Did adopting this many children offer some form of financial gain? Or was there a religious conversion planned? His adoptive father worked for the Church of Latter-Day Saints education systems and retired recently after 40 years. Lee's sister Virginia (also Navajo) was fostered two years then adopted with Leland. The day after their adoption was finalized, the family moved to Ontario, where they proceeded to adopt Shaun who is a mixed blood and seven who are Ojibwe Canadians: Sheila, Debbie, Cindy, Robert, Sharon, Keith and Adam who are all siblings.
Lee had the misfortune of losing his wallet which led to his discovery that his adoptive parents did not have the legal paperwork or proof of his citizenship in his Navajo tribal nation.
He said on his blog, "So, in January 2010, I visited the DMV. I filled out the application to replace my drivers license only and went up to use my Navajo Nation Final Judgement of Adoption and Social Security card as proof to get the replacement and was denied. New procedures had taken place on January 1, 2010 under the Real ID Act of 2005. I now was required to produce a state-issued birth certificate. I had none, as the Tribal Court of the Navajo Tribe Judicial District of Chinle Arizona had adopted me without any other documentation ...my only documentation: Final Judgment of Adoption. IT WAS THEN I REALIZED I AM AN ILLEGAL ALIEN."
I am sure this story will unravel in Leland's favor, as to his citizenship. He has been in contact with his Kirk relatives regularly on the Navajo reservation and I will post my interview with Leland very soon.
More news: Here is a story about an adoptee from India who may be deported....
...an example of international adoption meets immigration... Schultz is facing possible deportation to India due to his adoptive parent’s not getting him citizenship. His adoptive mother is white, and his case is quite unique in that he is Mormon, speaks only English and know nothing about his country, India or his culture. Read his story here: http://kadnexus.wordpress.com/2007/03/29/indian-american-transracial-adoptee-faces-deportation-for-criminal-record/
Can it happen... will adoptees can be targeted for deportation when their adopters do not finalize their US citizenship? Only time will tell.
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Nothing surprises Trace about the inhumanity show towards adoptees.It could happen.
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