On Friday, September 6, the Department of State announced that “China will no longer carry out foreign adoption work.”
The Department of State received a notification from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) stating the following:
“… beginning August 28, 2024, except for foreigners adopting stepchildren and children of collateral relatives within three generations in China, civil affairs departments across China will no longer carry out foreign adoption work.”
This news must be devastating for families who had been matched with a child and were awaiting further processing so they could bring their child home. Many of you would have waited for four or more years. We feel the loss of your opportunity to parent and sincerely hope that those children in China will find their forever families. We are saddened that your time, effort, and patience were not enough.
For over two decades, more than 160,000, mostly girls, were placed from China. They are now young adults, starting their careers and having their voices heard. This population will shape the international adoption narrative, just as it was shaped by Korean adoptees starting decades ago.