WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is urging Congolese leaders to process the pending adoptions of hundreds of children to U.S. parents. The Congolese government unexpectedly suspended the exit permits needed to finalize pending adoptions, leaving many children and adoptive families in limbo.
“The families went through the proper channels, then faced an unexpected decision from the Congolese government,” Grassley said. “I hope for a resolution that allows the children to go home with their new families. I’ll continue to do everything I can to make sure the U.S. government is working at the highest levels to resolve these situations.”
Grassley is among 59 senators and 112 members of the House of Representatives who sent a letter today to the Congolese president and prime minister over the adoptions. More than 460 children are affected, languishing in institutions without a legal family. In addition to the consequences for the children, this suspension also is placing a substantial emotional and financial burden on the adoptive families, including several Iowa families.
Grassley’s staff has contacted the State Department regarding the matter on behalf of the Iowa families. He also asked the U.S. ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to review each family’s situation and to do everything possible to resolve the issue. “The State Department has told my office that the U.S. government is engaged at every opportunity, sending teams from the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department to discuss U.S. adoption processes with Congolese officials and offering to help resolve any concerns,” Grassley said.
The text of the lawmakers’ letter Grassley signed is available here.
Grassley is a longtime advocate for policies that improve the ability of children to secure permanent, loving homes, including policies that promote adoption from foster care.
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