Take Action: How to Advocate During the U.S. Visa Freeze Impacting Intercountry Adoption 

The U.S. government has announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing in 75 countries, with no exceptions for international adoptions. As a result, in-process adoptive families and children are left in an impossible situation. Families are unable to complete the process or bring their legally adopted children home. 

We call on all families and supporters of adoption to take action now! Please contact your senators, representatives, and other elected officials and urge them to EXEMPT adopted children from the US immigrant visa freeze. No child or family should be left stranded! 

When advocating for children and families, how you reach out matters. Some methods carry more weight than others. We strongly encourage families to contact their Members of Congress in the following order whenever possible: in person first, followed by a phone call, and then email or social media outreach. 

In-Person Visits with Your Senator or Representative 

Meeting face to face (even virtually!) with your Senator or Representative, or with their staff, is one of the most effective ways to advocate. Personal conversations help lawmakers understand the real-life impact of policy decisions and put a human face to the issue. 

During congressional recess periods, U.S. Senators and Representatives typically return to the state or district they represent for in-district work time. This is one of the best opportunities to connect with them locally. 

When your Member of Congress is in your area, you may be able to visit or call their district office, request a meeting with staff or the Member directly, or attend town halls or community events. Even brief conversations in these settings can leave a lasting impression. 

Phone Calls as a Follow-Up Step 

If an in-person visit is not immediately possible, or after you have met in person, making a phone call is the next most effective step. Phone calls are logged by staff and help demonstrate the level of concern among constituents. 

You can reach any congressional office through the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senator or Representative. 

Email and Social Media Outreach 

After an in-person visit and phone call, following up in writing helps reinforce your message. 

Personal emails sent through official websites are most effective when they reference your earlier visit or call and clearly restate your request. Avoid form letters whenever possible. 

Social media messages can also help reinforce your advocacy, especially when tagging official accounts. These messages should remain respectful, concise, and supportive of your other outreach efforts. 

Core Talking Points for All Outreach Methods regarding the US Visa Freeze on Foreign Adoptions 

The following talking points apply whether you are meeting in person, calling an office, sending an email, or reaching out on social media. 

1. Begin with your personal story. Share how long you have been in the adoption process, why you chose adoption, and the steps you have completed at the state, federal, country, and immigration levels. Emphasize that all required approvals have been granted. 

If you are officially matched with a child, personal details can make your message more meaningful. Share what your child loves or what you know about them, while protecting their privacy. Use a nickname or pseudonym, share age instead of date of birth, and reference the country of origin rather than a specific city. Do not share full names or identifying information of your child  You can share pictures but your child’s face must be blurred. 

2. THE ASK – Every interaction should include a clear and direct request. 

You may wish to acknowledge your lawmaker’s commitment to children and families and then explain that your family needs their help to bring your child home. 

Families are asking for a full exemption for adoptive children from current and future immigration pauses or travel bans, including IH-3, IH-4, IR-3, and IR-4 visas. If a full exemption is not possible, families are asking for a clear, transparent path forward, including specific guidance on the documentation or steps required for case-by-case exemptions. 

3. Supporting policy context.  You may also reference that adoption has been identified as a national priority, that the U.S. adoption process is extensive and highly regulated, that adoption visas are fundamentally different from other immigrant visas, and that previous immigration pauses have explicitly exempted adoption-related visas. 

Even referencing one of these points can help strengthen your message. 

Official Resources for Reaching Your U.S. Senator and Representative 

The following official resources can help you find accurate contact information for your U.S. Senators and Representative, including phone numbers, district office locations, and online contact forms. 

Congress.gov: Find Your Member of Congress 
Congress.gov allows you to search for both Senators and Representatives using your address. 
https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member 

Calling Congressional Offices Directly 
You can also reach any congressional office by calling the U.S. Capitol switchboard and asking to be connected to your Senator or Representative. 

U.S. Senate switchboard: 202-224-3121 
U.S. House switchboard: 202-225-3121 

More information is available here: 
https://www.senate.gov/general/contacting.htm