US Adoptive Families Face Extended Delays Due to Travel Ban Restrictions

Adoptive families in the United States are experiencing significant delays in bringing children home from abroad following a December 2025 presidential executive order that banned travel from 39 countries. While the State Department initially provided a national interest exception (NIE) to allow adoption visas to proceed, families report that the process has become increasingly arduous since August 2026.

Many parents are now facing wait times of several months to secure the necessary travel authorizations. These delays have forced families to remain separated, with one parent often stranded overseas with the adopted child while the rest of the family remains in the United States. Adoption agencies have expressed concerns regarding the lack of clear communication from the State Department and US Citizenship and Immigration Services, noting that the administrative hurdles are causing financial and emotional strain for those attempting to complete international adoptions.