Madonna is in Malawi in hopes of adopting a young girl,  but despite rumors that she’s taking a shortcut to legally adopt the girl, Madonna’s spokeswoman said Tuesday that the queen of pop is “not skirting any legal issues.”

Civil society groups from Malawi have disclosed that they’re opposing Madonna’s attempted adoption to 4-year-old Mercy James because this may encourage child trafficking.

On Monday, Madonna appeared in a Malawi court seeking to adopt Mercy, but the case was adjourned until April 3. Madonna’s rep Liz Rosenberg said in a statement, “The adoption process for Mercy began over a year ago when Madonna met her on one of her visits to Malawi. The connection was instant and profound. Madonna’s desire to adopt Mercy is totally heartfelt.”

“She is not skirting any legal issues in her application to adopt this child and is looking to provide a loving family environment and the best education and health care possible for a child who has been in an orphanage since her birth,” said Rosenberg.

While Madonna has said that locals, including Malawi President Bingu Wa Mutharika, are supporting her adoption efforts, critics have accused the government of giving Madonna special treatment when she adopted 3-year-old son David Banda by being allowed to adopt even if there’s a law that bans nonresidents from adopting children.

Madonna also has two biological children — daughter Lourdes, 12, and son Rocco, 8.