Portman urges White House to help Ohio families affected by stalled Congolese adoptions
“The Ohio families in this process have remained vigilant and are doing everything in their power to help bring these children home,” Portman and his colleagues wrote. “Please find a humanitarian solution for these children and these families. We ask that you contact President Kabila and ask that exit letters be issued for all of the remaining children. “
Portman has worked with Ohio families and DRC officials to lift the adoption ban. He introduced a resolution in the Senate in the 113th Congress calling for exit permits for children in the process of being adopted, specifically prioritizing the processing of intercountry adoptions which were initiated before the suspension and expediting the processing of those adoptions which involve medically fragile children. The resolution also calls on the President to work with the DRC to prioritize a resolution for lifting the suspension of intercountry adoptions.
The full letter to President Obama is included in its entirety below:
[[In-content Ad]]
March 4, 2016
The Honorable Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
As representatives from Ohio, we are writing to request your assistance to find a solution for the Congolese orphans who have legally been adopted but have not been granted an exit letter to leave the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As a united delegation, we urge you to prioritize this issue, seek a prompt resolution, and directly speak with President Kabila to ensure that he understands this is the top priority for diplomatic relations between the DRC and the United States.
The orphans affected by this ban are vulnerable and without families or homes in the DRC. These children are loved by and have come to know their American parents who want to welcome them into their homes and provide a life filled with promise.
The Ohio families in this process have remained vigilant and are doing everything in their power to help bring these children home. These parents have made countless trips to the DRC to spend time with their sons and daughters.
We have visited with these families and have heard them speak about these children who have already had such an impact on their lives and communities. Thousands of Ohioans have also heard these stories and demand that Congress and the administration do what is necessary to find a solution.
Please find a humanitarian solution for these children and these families. We ask that you contact President Kabila and ask that exit letters be issued for all of the remaining children.
Thank you for making these efforts on behalf of these children and families.
Sincerely,
Rob Portman
United States Senator
Sherrod Brown
United States Senator
Joyce Beatty
Member of Congress
Robert Latta
Member of Congress
Marcy Kaptur
Member of Congress
Tim Ryan
Member of Congress
Michael R. Turner
Member of Congress
Jim Renacci
Member of Congress
Brad Wenstrup
Member of Congress
Bill Johnson
Member of Congress