Can an F-1 student be adopted?

[onetwothree]

My husband and I are now legal American citizens. Our niece, who is a 19 year-old F-1 visa student, is now staying with us and we want to adopt her. (Her mother died 3 years ago and her father would agree with us to that). So I wonder if that's possible. I mean, I've been told that persons over 16 could not be adopted anymore. But still, I want to know if there is any possibility that I can adopt a 19 year old student. By the way, will she have all the right like other Americans have? How long will it take to finish all the paperwork?
I would be grateful to receive the answers.
Thank you very much.

[Texas-TAO]

Hello there, it is my belief that anyone can be adopted regardless of age as you are essentially stating that you are that person's guardian in the eyes of the law and that you will become that person's mother / father. I would imagine however after a certain age it becomes a bit more tricky which I would imagine you would have to have the consent of the adoptee.

Furthermore, being that the person is not a legal resident in the United States I would imagine the person would be required to apply for U.S. Citizenship.

However, this could very well present a conflict between the two and therefore there is a possibility you won't be allowed to do so. It's definitely sounds tricky and if its permissable by a court judge then that would essentially mean that there is a loophole in the system.