How is Brexit going to affect the adoption of European Migrants Children by UK?

LONDON - July 6, 2016 - PRLog -- Nora 21 moved to Britain from Hungary a couple of years ago in order to raise her standard of living in a new country that promises a great future. Ever since she landed in the UK she has been working as a chambermaid at a hotel. She had an unwanted pregnancy that she wanted to terminate, and while going about her abortion she heard about the children's social services. While being counselled by social workers she opened up to them and told them that she and her partner did not have the financial wherewithal to bring up their daughter and were willing to give her up to adoption in the UK.

After giving their child in adoption, the parents did not want to have anything to do with the baby Anna though they wanted their daughter to get the best. They were alarmed when they heard that the authorities planned to give their daughter in adoption to a family in Hungary that was willing to take her in. They also did not want Anna to be brought up by any other family member in Britain. They didn't want any of their relatives back home in Hungary to know about the status of their child.

Now that they were seeking a better life in Britain and have almost attained it, they want their daughter also to have a similar life, with the promise of a great future. However, the reaction of Hungary is quite different. The country wants all children born to Hungarian parents to be nationals of their home country and wants to have a say in the future of children who are entrusted to care proceedings or going to be adopted by strangers in Britain.

Anna's case is not just the one of its kind, children's services have been receiving distress calls from distraught parents who want their wards to be adopted and have a better chance at life. Ever since several east European countries acceded to the EU child protection issues have been cropping up too often. With workers moving anywhere within the 28 member nations, many children have been living in several countries of which they are not nationals.

Ultimately, these children come to the notice of the child protection agencies whenever they are neglected or ill-treated. Many cases have been referred to courts in Hungary or whichever the country of origin of the children. This is because of a peculiar situation where the parents are UK citizens though the children are Hungarian citizens and it is more appropriated for their fates to be decided by their mother country.

One common factor that prompts parents to give up their own blood to adoption is poverty. As it is the migrant workers decided to make a new life in a new country in order to escape from the abject poverty they faced in their own country. However, the bitter truth dawns on them when it is too late, and although their lives are better when compared to what they had earlier, they are quite not prepared to bring up their children under the conditions. This often leads to child protection cases being reported as there is poverty coupled with domestic violence, which are not conducive circumstances where a child is being brought up. With several cases like that of Anna's being reported, parents are now willingly giving up their children to the UK authorities for adoption.

British courts are in a dilemma when it comes to these children, and they are not sure if it is in the best interests of the child to allow it to be looked after by the country of its origin as desired by the authorities there. As per European Union regulations, the child's best interests are of prime importance. Hence, while taking a decision the authorities need to consider where the child has been habitually residing. Of course, if the child concerned has some particular connection with a member state, which could be their homeland, then priority needs to be given there.

There is an example where in one such fostering case where Hungary wanted jurisdiction over two infant girls aged 2 and 4 who were fostered in the UK for three years.  The foster cares for such young children were quite alien and the girls were not taught Hungarian. With their parents deciding to settle back in Hungary, they were not able to get their children back. The case was presented in the Supreme Court in the UK and a judge ruled that the English family court needs to make the decision regarding the future of the girls as it had several options to choose from. Whereas a Hungarian court would invariably decide on not giving priority to the children continuing to live in the UK even if it realizes that it would be in the best interests of the children.

Not all other east European countries are as rigid as Hungary, Latvia and Slovakia. In a case that came before the Estonian department of children and families, the authorities informed the English family court that they were happy to allow the children find new parents. When it is a question of how the child is brought up as a responsible citizen, it really does not matter where the child is brought up, irrespective of its place of birth. What matters is the love and affection the children get in their new homes, not to mention the best opportunities that may not be available in its own country. Although cultural roots are vital, children can develop into responsible adults even in their places of domicile, provided the circumstances are conducive enough.

In addition, How does Brexit affect UK Immigration: https://www.ukimmigrationcentre.co.uk/blog/brexit-affect-...