In Re: Adoption of: D.G.J., Appeal of: H.L.H.


J-A04011-22 2022 PA Super 111 IN RE: ADOPTION OF: D.G.J. : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF : PENNSYLVANIA : APPEAL OF: H.L.H. AND E.W.H. : : : : : : No. 1782 EDA 2021 Appeal from the Decree Entered August 19, 2021 In the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County Orphans' Court at No(s): AD-21-0010 BEFORE: LAZARUS, J., NICHOLS, J., and McLAUGHLIN, J. OPINION BY LAZARUS, J.: FILED JUNE 16, 2022 H.L.H. and E.W.H. (Petitioners) appeal from the decree, entered in the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County Orphans’ Court, denying, with prejudice, their petitions to confirm consent and for adoption of their minor nephew, D.G.J. (Child). After careful review, we reverse and remand. Child was born in Liberia in July 2006. After Child’s parents divorced, Child came to the United States, on December 30, 2014, on a B1/B2 visa.1 ____________________________________________ 1 B-1 and B-2 visas are considered “nonimmigrant visas” and are used for temporary stays. “Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to the enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), for tourism (visa category B-2), or for a combination of both.” https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html (last visited 5/26/22). A B-1 visa is for business, whereas a B-2 visa is often used for “tourism[,] vacation[,] visit[s] with friends or relatives[,] medical treatment[,] participation in social events hosted by [] organizations[,] participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests[, or e]nrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a (Footnote Continued Next Page) J-A04011-22 Since his arrival in the United States, Child has resided with Petitioners, his maternal aunt and uncle, who were also born in Liberia but became naturalized United States citizens on June 13, 2011. Petitioners and Child reside in Coatesville, Chester County, Pennsylvania. On February 22, 2021, Petitioners filed a “Report of Intention to Adopt” (Report) Child, averring that “[o]n November 27, 2020, Child’s biological parents signed consents to adoption.” Report of Intention to Adopt, 2/22/21, at 1. Attached to the Report are signed, dated and notarized consents, executed by Child’s biological parents, indicating that they voluntarily and unconditionally consent to the adoption of [Child,] understand that by signing th[e c]onsent[s they] indicate [their] intent to permanently give up all rights to [Child,] understand[] [Child] will be placed for adoption by [Petitioners, that they] understand [they] may revoke th[e c]onsent[s] . . . by placing the revocation in writing and serving it upon the agency or adult to whom [Child] was relinquished[, and that the c]onsent[s] to an adoption is irrevocable unless [they] revoke [them] within THIRTY (30) DAYS after executing [them.] ____________________________________________ degree[.] Id. A visitor visa cannot be used to obtain permanent residence in the United States. Id. Although you can extend your B-1 and B-2 visa, by application, for up to a maximum of ten years, you are only permitted to remain in the United States for up to 6 months at a time and must return to your home country for some …

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