In late September of this year, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s immigration authority, DGM, issued a suspension notice of up to twelve months of exit permits of adopted children. Exit permits issued by DRC’s immigration authority allow Congolese children, adopted internationally, to leave DRC and travel home with adoptive parents. This suspension notice reportedly came on the heels of a high ranking Congolese official reading an article regarding “re-homing” and abuse of children adopted by U.S. families. Since this suspension notice was issued, the media has become a firestorm of misinformation and sensationalism regarding adoptions in Congo leaving many adoptive parents confused about what is going on in Congo and whether or not families can still adopt from this country.
- DGM issued a suspension notice of Exit Permits only on September 25, 2013, for adopted children
- DGM issued a suspension that they would not provide exit permits to single adoptive parents; it is currently unclear how this effects single adoptive parents currently in process in DRC
- Married adoptive parents with a Bordereau letter issued prior to September 25, 2013 would be granted exit permits
- Exit permits have begun to be issued for families with a Bordereau letter issued prior to September 25, 2013
- DRC is still accepting applications to adopt children in need by prospective adoptive parents
- DRC Courts are still processing international adoptions
- Agencies are still receiving referrals of children in need of forever families
- The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa is proceeding with I604 investigations
- The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa is still issuing Orphan Visas
- DRC has not closed its doors to international adoption