The Trump administration's expanded travel ban and a separate immigrant visa freeze initially omitted automatic exemptions for international adoption visas, putting more than 1,000 children in over 40 countries on hold, advocates say. The State Department's new guidance allows adoption cases to request a National Interest Exception on a case-by-case basis and promises priority consideration. Bipartisan lawmakers and adoption groups are urging a categorical exemption to remove uncertainty and avoid further separations. Waiting parents say the guidance is welcome but insist on a clear, permanent exemption so children can join their U.S. families without additional delay.
Families Left in Limbo After Trump Travel Ban and Visa Freeze Leave International Adoptions Unclear
Heidi and Kenton Snyder with their three boys. The Snyders are in the process of adopting a girl from Côte d'Ivoire in West Africa. / Credit: Haylie Ogalat Photography and the Snyder family
Washington — Hundreds of U.S. families and the children they are in the process of adopting abroad face uncertainty after the Trump administration's most recent travel restrictions and an accompanying immigrant visa freeze did not include automatic, blanket exemptions for international adoption visas, advocacy groups and bipartisan lawmakers say.
State Department Guidance Offers Case-by-Case Relief
The U.S. State Department issued guidance saying children being adopted by American citizens may qualify for a National Interest Exception (NIE) on a case-by-case basis, and that such requests "will be considered on a priority basis," according to a document obtained by CBS News. Adoption organizations and affected families called the clarification a positive move but said it falls short of the clear, categorical exemption they want.
What Changed and Who Is Affected
President Trump expanded a travel ban in December that tightened or barred travel from 39 countries. About a month later, the administration announced an indefinite freeze on immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries — including Somalia, Yemen and Jamaica — citing concerns that nationals from those countries are more likely to need public assistance. Unlike earlier orders that explicitly excluded adoption visas so children could join their new families, the latest travel ban and visa freeze do not explicitly exempt adoption-related classifications such as IR-3, IR-4, IH-3 and IH-4 visas.
Scope and Response From Advocates
The National Council For Adoption estimates the restrictions are delaying more than 1,000 children’s cases in over 40 countries. Groups including the Congressional Coalition On Adoption Institute and the National Council For Adoption have urged Americans to contact their representatives and asked the administration for a permanent exemption for adoption cases while acknowledging the State Department’s updated guidance.
"Every vulnerable child, regardless of their country of origin, deserves the chance to be welcomed into a loving, permanent family," said Amy Wolfe, interim CEO of the National Council For Adoption.
Bipartisan Pressure for a Clear Exemption
Co-chairs of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Caucus — Sen. Kevin Cramer (R), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D), Rep. Robert Aderholt (R) and Rep. Danny Davis (D) — wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Assistant Secretary Mora Namdar requesting immediate guidance for families and permanent visa exemptions for adoption cases. Their letter notes that in June 2025 the administration had travel directives that included adoption exemptions, but a December 16, 2025, order superseded that guidance and removed those explicit exceptions.
Waiting Families: A Human Story
Kenton and Heidi Snyder of Illinois are among the many families affected. After six years waiting to bring a child from China to the U.S., COVID-19 disruptions and China’s 2024 decision to end its adoption program prevented the reunion. In 2024 they began adopting a 3-year-old girl from Côte d'Ivoire, whom they named Eden. The Snyders were nearly finished with paperwork when they learned Côte d'Ivoire was among the 75 countries included in the visa suspension.
"We just couldn't believe that it would," Heidi Snyder said of the omission of an adoption exemption. The couple welcomed the State Department's case-by-case guidance but said they would prefer a clear, categorical exemption so there is no ambiguity or additional delay for children waiting to join their families.
Outlook
Advocates and lawmakers are pressing for an explicit, permanent exemption for adoption visas to prevent further separation of children from their prospective families. The State Department has indicated priority handling of adoption-related NIE requests, but many families remain cautious as they await details and a definitive policy change.
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