from the Office of Children’s Issues… Dear Prospective Adoptive Parents, We know that the past year has been especially difficult for parents in the process of adopting a child from China…
Early in the global pandemic, China restricted and then shut down international travel, and suspended adoption processing, impacting you and many other families. We recognize that the waiting and uncertainty of when the suspension will be lifted has placed a great deal of stress on you and your family.
Please know that, from the start of the pandemic, we have made engagement with Chinese officials a high priority at all levels. We are working closely with our Embassy in Beijing, the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou, and our colleagues in the East Asia Pacific Bureau of the Department to identify every appropriate opportunity to raise this important humanitarian issue. Our Consulate General in Guangzhou maintains regular contact with the China Center for Children’s Welfare and Adoption, while our senior U.S. Embassy officials in Beijing are in communication with the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In January, the Special Advisor for Children’s Issues and the Director of the Office of Children’s Issues met virtually with these and other senior-level officials in a Central Authority-to-Central Authority dialogue.
In all our discussions with Chinese officials, we have emphasized the importance of resuming adoptions and travel by parents as soon as possible. We have also conveyed that, based on our conversations with adopting parents and Adoption Service Providers, parents are willing to undergo any necessary health requirements in order to be able to travel and complete adoptions. Chinese authorities have consistently assured us that they understand and support the importance of intercountry adoptions between China and the United States as being in the best interests of the children adopted by U.S. families. They have repeatedly informed us that their decision to suspend adoption processing is based solely on their concern for the children’s health and safety, and that until they deem it medically safe to travel within China and overseas, they will maintain the suspension.
We will continue to engage at all levels with Chinese officials and encourage them to resume adoption processing as soon as it is medically safe to do so. We will also ask that parents receive regular updates and information on their children’s health and welfare, and that Adoption Service Providers have the information they need to help parents prepare for the day when travel is possible. Finally, we will continue to share information and updates with adoption service providers so that they, in turn, can communicate with families.
We cannot predict when the pandemic will end or when your long wait will be over. Please know, however, that we have the greatest respect for your commitment to a child in need of a loving family, and we look forward to the day when your child can come home to you.
Sincerely,
Scott Renner, Director, Office of Children’s Issues
Michelle Bernier-Toth, Special Advisor for Children’s Issues