In a recent development, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has spearheaded a bipartisan effort involving 33 governors to urge President Joe Biden to take action regarding the suspension of foreign adoptions by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This suspension has resulted in significant delays for over 260 children who have already been matched with American families across 44 states. Among those affected are twelve families from Tennessee who have been waiting nearly five years to finalize their adoptions.
Governor Lee emphasized the urgent need for diplomatic intervention, stating, “Dozens of families are ready to open their homes to these children with medical and emotional needs.” The suspension has led to various logistical challenges for adopting families, including the requirement to update costly home studies.
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As both the United States and China are parties to the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, they have historically worked together to facilitate permanent homes for more than 82,000 Chinese children. Although the PRC’s decision to halt intercountry adoptions is within its rights, the governors are urging China to honor pending adoptions in line with the Hague Convention.
In addition to the governors’ appeal, over 100 Members of Congress have sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to President Biden, highlighting the situation of Chinese children awaiting adoption by American families.
The letter from the governors, championed by Governor Lee, seeks to strengthen the call for diplomatic action. Governors from various states, including Alabama, California, Florida, and Texas, have signed the letter in support of this initiative.
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