On September 9, a surprising announcement from the Chinese government sent shockwaves through the American adoption community: a ban on intercountry adoptions of Chinese children. This decision has left many families, currently in the midst of the adoption process, reeling. Laurie Carey from Birmingham, Alabama, is one such family member impacted by this policy change. She and her husband were eagerly preparing to welcome a three-year-old boy from China, having established a bond through video calls during the pandemic. However, the delays caused by COVID-19 added an extra layer of stress to their journey. “For four years, we’ve been told to be patient, but when your child is on the other side of the world, it becomes unbearable,” Laurie shared, expressing her deep sadness and concern for her child’s future.
Aimee Welch, hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, faced a similar heartache. She had been set to travel to China in March 2020 to adopt a six-year-old girl, but the pandemic thwarted her plans. After enduring extensive delays, the news of the adoption ban hit her hard. “Think about this little girl; we promised we would come for her. As a six-year-old, how can she possibly understand why we haven’t shown up?” Aimee lamented. She stressed the importance of authorities communicating to the child that they have not given up on her and that they would have come if circumstances allowed.
In response to the ban, the U.S. embassy in Beijing is actively seeking clarification from the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs. They have expressed deep sympathy for the many families awaiting the completion of their adoptions. The U.S. State Department has also acknowledged the situation, stating, “We understand there are many families still waiting for their adoptions to be finalized.”
According to the Chinese government, the only exceptions to the ban apply to families adopting biological or stepchildren within China. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized that the ban reflects international trends, expressing gratitude for the goodwill demonstrated by foreign governments and families interested in adopting Chinese children.
