Nashville, TN — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has spearheaded a bipartisan effort, with 33 governors from across the United States, in urging President Joe Biden to take diplomatic action in response to the People’s Republic of China’s decision to suspend its intercountry adoption program. The move has left more than 260 children matched with American families in limbo, many of whom were eagerly awaiting finalization of their adoptions.
In a letter to the president, Governor Lee highlighted the deep emotional and logistical challenges faced by the families impacted by the suspension, which has halted adoptions in progress and left families in a state of uncertainty. Twelve of the affected families are from Tennessee, where the governor has called for swift action to prevent further delays.
“Dozens of families, including twelve from Tennessee, are ready to open their homes to children in need, many of whom have medical or emotional needs,” Governor Lee stated. “These families have already waited nearly five years to complete the adoption process, and we are urging President Biden to take diplomatic steps to ensure that the Chinese government honors its commitments and allows these adoptions to be completed.”
The suspension of China’s foreign adoption program, which was announced earlier this year, has left hundreds of children waiting for their new families. These children, who had already been matched with American families, are now facing indefinite delays as the Chinese government has not set a timeline for when the adoption process may resume.
Families affected by the suspension have expressed frustration over the prolonged wait, with many citing the added financial burden of having to update home studies and complete additional paperwork as part of the ongoing uncertainty. Adoption advocates have raised concerns that the situation is causing undue emotional strain on both the children and the adoptive parents.
The United States and China have a longstanding partnership in international adoption, guided by the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. Since the program’s inception, more than 82,000 Chinese children have been adopted by American families. However, the recent suspension has cast doubt on whether those who have already been matched with adoptive families will be able to bring their children home.
While the suspension of intercountry adoptions is within China’s sovereign rights, the governors involved in the letter emphasize the importance of upholding international commitments and the need for continued cooperation to protect the best interests of children.
“We understand that this is a complex diplomatic issue,” Governor Lee said. “However, we are asking the Chinese government to honor the pending adoptions in accordance with the principles of the Hague Convention, which ensures the welfare of children and supports the rights of families to complete the adoption process.”
In addition to the letter from the governors, more than 100 members of Congress sent their own letter to President Biden in November, urging the administration to press China to allow pending adoptions to move forward. The issue has garnered widespread bipartisan support, with lawmakers from both parties calling for swift action.
Governors from a broad range of states, including California, Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Illinois, have joined Governor Lee in signing the letter. The bipartisan nature of the effort reflects the urgency and cross-party support for addressing the situation.
Adoption advocates and families affected by the delay are now hoping that the combined pressure from state governors, members of Congress, and adoption organizations will prompt the Biden administration to take immediate diplomatic action to resolve the crisis and ensure that these children are reunited with their new families.
As the issue continues to unfold, both families and officials remain hopeful that a resolution will come soon, allowing these children to finally find the permanent, loving homes they have long awaited.