January 28, 2026: Lifeline Children’s Services celebrates the formal guidance issued by the U.S. State Department for families adopting children that had been impacted by the recent visa ban. This guidance advises adoption service providers, agencies, and prospective adoptive parents to continue engaging with U.S. consulates as normal throughout the visa process.
We are deeply encouraged that consular posts have been instructed that intercountry adoptions are eligible for National Interest Exceptions under the current presidential proclamation and should be processed on a priority, case-by-case basis. This guidance brings much-needed clarity and renewed hope to waiting families.
While we celebrate this announcement, we remain committed to advocating at the highest levels of government for the reinstatement of a full exemption for children being adopted through intercountry adoption. Our hope is that these children will not be required to navigate a special administrative process, and that visa processing will resume as it did previously.
For media inquiries or to request an interview with Herbie Newell, president and executive director of Lifeline, please email pr@lifelinechild.org.
