WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- More than 9,300 immigrant visas were issued to children adopted by U.S. citizens in fiscal year 2011, the State Department said Friday in a release.
Of the 9,300, more than 2,700 were issued under The Hague Adoption Convention, the department said in a release.
The release of the 2011 Annual Adoption Report to Congress coincides with National Adoption Month, the department said.
Ambassador Susan Jacobs, the special adviser for international children's issues, Ambassador Susan Jacobs, traveled to more than 15 countries this year to promote ethical intercountry adoptions and the Hague Adoption Convention.
Kazakhstan and Ireland are new parties to The Hague Adoption Convention, which State officials said "provides the best framework for ethical, transparent intercountry adoptions and ensures that adoptions are conducted in the best interest of children."
