U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam and Senator Tim Kaine are leading a bipartisan group urging the Trump administration to create a clear exemption for international adoptions from its recent visa pause. The administration had announced that, starting January 21, 2026, it would stop issuing visas to applicants from 75 countries, citing concerns—without providing evidence—that immigrants could be a financial burden on Americans.
Lawmakers expressed concern that this policy is disrupting families in the final stages of adopting children internationally. “Following this abrupt policy change, we have heard grave concerns from constituents in the final stages of international adoptions that have been years in the making. These families have completed all required U.S. immigration, financial, and child-welfare vetting and have waited years for the opportunity to bring their children home. However, adoption visa protocols require immigrant visas, which are now on pause. As a result of this decision, these families’ plans to bring their children to the United States are facing uncertainty,” said members and senators in a joint statement.
A letter sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Department of State highlights public reports indicating that over 300 international adoptions have already been disrupted or stopped due to the new policy. The lawmakers noted that many affected children are already legally part of U.S. families but remain separated from their adoptive parents and siblings abroad.
The group’s letter states: “While we have heard through correspondence with the Department that Americans going through the adoption process can qualify for an exception under the National Interest Exception, we strongly urge you to immediately officially establish categorical exemptions for adoption-related visas, consistent with long-standing U.S. practice, and transmit this information to the public, so these American families can unite with their children.”
Other signatories include Senators Baldwin (WI), Blumenthal (CT), Booker (NJ), Coons (DE), Cortez-Masto (NV), Markey (MA), Merkley (OR), Padilla (CA), Van Hollen (MD), Warner (VA), Wyden (OR) as well as Representatives Beyer (VA), Davis (IL), Doggett (TX), Keating (MA), McClellan (VA), Moulton (MA), Scott (VA) and Walkinshaw (VA).
The lawmakers argue that adoptive families already undergo extensive screening by federal agencies to ensure they can support their adopted children financially and meet all requirements.
The full letter is available online.
