EDreNYC

We spend 6 months of the year down there, appreciate the response. 

Whoa time out, how is this fraud? Local Ecuador law allows for any male to recognize a child as their own regardless of a biological relationship. 

not possible under Ecuadorian law, the biological father would have to step up and provide the child with his last name. 

A post with name-calling has been removed, along with two replies (one itself inappropriate).  Remain respectful when posting.
 
VJ Moderation

And pretty sure there is nothing that relates to Voluntary Recognition. Now Aunt and Uncle is asked for.

I have no advice.
 
Just wanted to say to the OP that what you and your wife have tried to do is very kind, and your niece is fortunate to have people who love her and are looking out for her.

haha, no the intent was not to bring my sis in law. We simply thought there would be a way to petition for the child to enter the US for a few months of the year. My wife is an USC, so there is the possibility of my wife petitioning her mother, then she petitions my sis in law, etc.

Bingo!!!!!!
 
The child would've had the same 2 last names as the mother. Therefore in front of society it would appear as the child was her sister rather then her daughter. Having my last name and the mother's is a whole lot better than having the same 2 last names as the mom. Unless the mother or someone close announces it no one knows I am not the father. I believe this is the same reasoning why Ecuadorian law allows any male to go to the registry and voluntarily acknowledges the child as their own. Biological relationship doesn't matter.

not possible under Ecuadorian law, the biological father would have to step up and provide the child with his last name. 

haha, no the intent was not to bring my sis in law. We simply thought there would be a way to petition for the child to enter the US for a few months of the year. My wife is an USC, so there is the possibility of my wife petitioning her mother, then she petitions my sis in law, etc.

Whoa time out, how is this fraud? Local Ecuador law allows for any male to recognize a child as their own regardless of a biological relationship. 

I have a niece who resides in Ecuador with my sister in law. The child was born out of wedlock, the biological father has been non-existent. Me and wife reside in the states, we have come to care for the child. For social reasons in Ecuador it is frown upon a child to have only the mother's last name, me and my wife agreed that I would do a "voluntary recognition". Meaning in my niece's birth certificate I appear as the father. My wife and I would like for our niece to be able to migrate to the states to spend time with us. I have contacted many lawyers in the US but no one wants to take on the case or even knows what to do. Some recommended we go through the adoption path, however in speaking to an Ecuadorian attorney, they mentioned this is non-sense. Since under Ecuadorian law, I am the father to my niece, therefore I can't adopt a child which under local law is already mines. Is there any path which can be taken to obtain a citizenship or green card for my niece? So far we have looked into the below options but seem very lost.
 
CRBA - Nope, since there is no biological relationship and would possibly ask for a DNA test.
I130- Seems like a possibility but some lawyers advised against it since it also requires a biological relationship?
N600 & N600k Completely clueless to these paths. 
 
Thanks in advance!
 

Bingo!!!!!!
 
The child would've had the same 2 last names as the mother. Therefore in front of society it would appear as the child was her sister rather then her daughter. Having my last name and the mother's is a whole lot better than having the same 2 last names as the mom. Unless the mother or someone close announces it no one knows I am not the father. I believe this is the same reasoning why Ecuadorian law allows any male to go to the registry and voluntarily acknowledges the child as their own. Biological relationship doesn't matter.

haha, no the intent was not to bring my sis in law. We simply thought there would be a way to petition for the child to enter the US for a few months of the year. My wife is an USC, so there is the possibility of my wife petitioning her mother, then she petitions my sis in law, etc.

I have a niece who resides in Ecuador with my sister in law. The child was born out of wedlock, the biological father has been non-existent. Me and wife reside in the states, we have come to care for the child. For social reasons in Ecuador it is frown upon a child to have only the mother's last name, me and my wife agreed that I would do a "voluntary recognition". Meaning in my niece's birth certificate I appear as the father. My wife and I would like for our niece to be able to migrate to the states to spend time with us. I have contacted many lawyers in the US but no one wants to take on the case or even knows what to do. Some recommended we go through the adoption path, however in speaking to an Ecuadorian attorney, they mentioned this is non-sense. Since under Ecuadorian law, I am the father to my niece, therefore I can't adopt a child which under local law is already mines. Is there any path which can be taken to obtain a citizenship or green card for my niece? So far we have looked into the below options but seem very lost.
 
CRBA - Nope, since there is no biological relationship and would possibly ask for a DNA test.
I130- Seems like a possibility but some lawyers advised against it since it also requires a biological relationship?
N600 & N600k Completely clueless to these paths. 
 
Thanks in advance!
 

Apply for a visitor visa, most of the comments so far assumed you were looking for her to immigrate

I have a niece who resides in Ecuador with my sister in law. The child was born out of wedlock, the biological father has been non-existent. Me and wife reside in the states, we have come to care for the child. For social reasons in Ecuador it is frown upon a child to have only the mother's last name, me and my wife agreed that I would do a "voluntary recognition". Meaning in my niece's birth certificate I appear as the father. My wife and I would like for our niece to be able to migrate to the states to spend time with us. I have contacted many lawyers in the US but no one wants to take on the case or even knows what to do. Some recommended we go through the adoption path, however in speaking to an Ecuadorian attorney, they mentioned this is non-sense. Since under Ecuadorian law, I am the father to my niece, therefore I can't adopt a child which under local law is already mines. Is there any path which can be taken to obtain a citizenship or green card for my niece? So far we have looked into the below options but seem very lost.
 
CRBA - Nope, since there is no biological relationship and would possibly ask for a DNA test.
I130- Seems like a possibility but some lawyers advised against it since it also requires a biological relationship?
N600 & N600k Completely clueless to these paths. 
 
Thanks in advance!
 

The issues have nothing to do with Ecuadorian laws and everything to do with US laws.  What is legal in Ecuador is irrelevant here.
 
the child is not biologically yours.  Any petition using that birth certificate will absolutely result in a DNA test. 
 
The mother is still alive so adoption for immigration purposes is also out

If you want to truly care for this child like a true daughter have you considered moving to Ecuador?  
 
best of luck

Has any attorney mentioned the 2 year custody rule?  Under the best of circumstances, adoption/immigration can be cumbersome.  

I have a niece who resides in Ecuador with my sister in law. The child was born out of wedlock, the biological father has been non-existent. Me and wife reside in the states, we have come to care for the child. For social reasons in Ecuador it is frown upon a child to have only the mother's last name, me and my wife agreed that I would do a "voluntary recognition". Meaning in my niece's birth certificate I appear as the father. My wife and I would like for our niece to be able to migrate to the states to spend time with us. I have contacted many lawyers in the US but no one wants to take on the case or even knows what to do. Some recommended we go through the adoption path, however in speaking to an Ecuadorian attorney, they mentioned this is non-sense. Since under Ecuadorian law, I am the father to my niece, therefore I can't adopt a child which under local law is already mines. Is there any path which can be taken to obtain a citizenship or green card for my niece? So far we have looked into the below options but seem very lost.
 
CRBA - Nope, since there is no biological relationship and would possibly ask for a DNA test.
I130- Seems like a possibility but some lawyers advised against it since it also requires a biological relationship?
N600 & N600k Completely clueless to these paths. 
 
Thanks in advance!
 

I have a niece who resides in Ecuador with my sister in law. The child was born out of wedlock, the biological father has been non-existent. Me and wife reside in the states, we have come to care for the child. For social reasons in Ecuador it is frown upon a child to have only the mother's last name, me and my wife agreed that I would do a "voluntary recognition". Meaning in my niece's birth certificate I appear as the father. My wife and I would like for our niece to be able to migrate to the states to spend time with us. I have contacted many lawyers in the US but no one wants to take on the case or even knows what to do. Some recommended we go through the adoption path, however in speaking to an Ecuadorian attorney, they mentioned this is non-sense. Since under Ecuadorian law, I am the father to my niece, therefore I can't adopt a child which under local law is already mines. Is there any path which can be taken to obtain a citizenship or green card for my niece? So far we have looked into the below options but seem very lost.
 
CRBA - Nope, since there is no biological relationship and would possibly ask for a DNA test.
I130- Seems like a possibility but some lawyers advised against it since it also requires a biological relationship?
N600 & N600k Completely clueless to these paths. 
 
Thanks in advance!
 

I have a niece who resides in Ecuador with my sister in law. The child was born out of wedlock, the biological father has been non-existent. Me and wife reside in the states, we have come to care for the child. For social reasons in Ecuador it is frown upon a child to have only the mother's last name, me and my wife agreed that I would do a "voluntary recognition". Meaning in my niece's birth certificate I appear as the father. My wife and I would like for our niece to be able to migrate to the states to spend time with us. I have contacted many lawyers in the US but no one wants to take on the case or even knows what to do. Some recommended we go through the adoption path, however in speaking to an Ecuadorian attorney, they mentioned this is non-sense. Since under Ecuadorian law, I am the father to my niece, therefore I can't adopt a child which under local law is already mines. Is there any path which can be taken to obtain a citizenship or green card for my niece? So far we have looked into the below options but seem very lost.
 
CRBA - Nope, since there is no biological relationship and would possibly ask for a DNA test.
I130- Seems like a possibility but some lawyers advised against it since it also requires a biological relationship?
N600 & N600k Completely clueless to these paths. 
 
Thanks in advance!