Rep. Joe Wilson highlighted reports that about 19,000 Ukrainian children have been taken from their families, calling for stronger action days after the House passed sanctions tied to Russia’s invasion. He and Rep. Jimmy Panetta introduced the Countering Russian Trafficking Act to require sanctions on those who allegedly perpetrate or profit from the removals. Wilson said First Lady Melania Trump is involved in repatriation efforts, and the Emile Foundation and several senators have engaged on the issue across party lines.
Rep. Joe Wilson Pushes Legislation to Recover Reported 19,000 Ukrainian Children
(Getty Images)
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) urged renewed focus on reports that roughly 19,000 Ukrainian children have been taken from their families amid Russia’s invasion, raising the issue less than 24 hours after the House approved broad sanctions tied to Russia’s assault on Ukraine.
Wilson Calls For Sanctions And Rescue Efforts
Wilson, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, noted that the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning of Russia Act had just passed the House and awaited the president’s signature. He said Congress must keep pressure on those responsible for what he described as Russia’s campaign to remove Ukrainian children from their families.
“This is relative to the issue of [the Russo-Ukraine War],” Wilson said, speaking to reporters shortly after the House adjourned for the campaign season.
Wilson said he and Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) introduced the Countering Russian Trafficking Act, legislation that would require the president to impose sanctions on perpetrators, facilitators and financial beneficiaries of the reported child removals.
Claims About Involvement And Bipartisan Support
When asked how he could be confident the Administration would press to bring children home if and when the war ends, Wilson responded that he believes First Lady Melania Trump is “vitally involved and making effort to see that the children come home to their parents,” a comment he made to Newsmax reporters.
Advocacy groups and some lawmakers across party lines have engaged on the issue. The Emile Foundation — which focuses on locating and returning children separated from their families — praised Wilson’s initiative. Foundation co-founder Mariam Lambert said Wilson’s effort “transcends partisan politics” after meetings earlier in the day with Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).
The reports and legislative efforts are part of a broader push by some U.S. lawmakers and advocacy groups to increase scrutiny and impose penalties on those accused of facilitating the removal and placement of Ukrainian children during the conflict. The claims about the number of children and details of individual cases remain subject to ongoing investigation and verification by international organizations and governments.
Reporting by John Gizzi for Newsmax. © 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
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