Washington D.C. – In a bipartisan appeal, U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and over 100 lawmakers are calling on President Joe Biden to advocate for American families impacted by the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) recent decision to end intercountry adoptions for individuals without Chinese familial ties. Representatives Erin Houchin (R-Ind.) and Val Hoyle (D-Ore.) joined the effort, which included 103 signatories from both the Senate and House of Representatives.
On August 28, 2024, the PRC formally terminated its intercountry adoption program, affecting approximately 300 children matched with American families, some of whom have critical health conditions. At least 16 families in Alabama are among those awaiting approval to bring home their adoptive children.
In their letter, lawmakers requested that President Biden encourage the PRC to honor its prior commitments to these children and families, many of whom have prepared extensively for their arrival.
“We request that you act in the best interest of these children and families by urging the PRC to fulfill and uphold the commitment the country has made,” the letter states.
The senators highlighted that families matched with children from China are fully prepared to meet the long-term medical and emotional needs of their adoptive children, and many of these children are already aware of the families they will soon join. “The American families that have been matched with their adoptive children are prepared to meet their long-term medical and emotional needs, and to give them the love and nurturing they need,” the letter continued. “Many of these children know that they have a home, which in many cases have been prepared for their arrival since the families were notified that they were matched and moving forward with the adoption process.”
Senator Britt and her colleagues also pointed to a recent notice from the U.S. State Department, which suggested that China might still process adoptions for families from certain countries. The letter urged President Biden to work toward securing a similar arrangement for American families, ensuring they, too, could complete the adoption process.
As the Biden administration considers options for addressing this issue, the call from lawmakers emphasizes the deep impact China’s decision has had on hundreds of American families committed to providing homes for children in need.
