I haven’t kept up with immigration law, but there was an important caveat when they changed the law in 2000 to provide automatic citizenship to child adoptees.
The parents had to go to the foreign country to adopt the child (at the time, Korea, and perhaps others, would provide a service where the child was air-shipped to the US for an adoption here).
So the basic steps are
US Citizens living in US
Go to a foreign country and adopt a child there
Then return to the US with the child with permanent resident status (the not green “Green Card”
File under the 2000 Act and get a Certificate of Citizenship (I think the court proceeding is still required, but it is pro-forma.)
Any of those elements missing, and other procedures are needed.
Of course, this lady was long before the current law took effect, and LM&C is probably correct as to the court proceeding mentioned in the story.
Not much different before 2000, I don’t think. Back in the 50’s, who knows. I think the big change in 2000 was the auto-citizenship upon adoption.
Early-mid 80’s:
Spent 3 weeks in Honduras adopting our son. Adoption was finalized in Honduras and recognized by US. Immigrant visa issue by US Embassy in Honduras. Private Naturalization ceremony by Federal Judge in Houston. Obtained new US Passport based on the Naturalization certificate. Son still uses Honduran Birth Certificate certified by US Embassy, Naturalization certificate and his several-times renewed passport.
Met many Americans in Honduras that were trying this but without the prep work that we did. Some had been there for months and had maxed out their credit cards. Wouldn’t/couldn’t give up the baby after they had him/her in their hands. Instant bond.
Daughter was flown to Honolulu from South Korea. She was delivered to us in the Honolulu airport after clearing immigration. Flew to Hilo for private adoption ceremony (State Judge) and a new Hawaii birth certificate (She still has the original, unlike others who shall remain nameless). Flew back to Honolulu for public Naturalization ceremony and Naturalization certificate. Obtained new passport on the Naturalization certificate. Daughter still has RSK birth certificate but uses Hawaii birth certificate, Naturalization certificate and several-times renewed passport.