Bill Delahunt: “When the 104th Congress amended the Immigration and Nationality Act in 1996, they unintentionally denied American…”

“When the 104th Congress amended the Immigration and Nationality Act in 1996, they unintentionally denied American parents who were adopting orphans from other countries the right to decide where their child would be vaccinated. That amendment required applicants for immigrant status, including children who will be adopted by American parents, to present evidence of numerous vaccinations for diseases ranging from mumps to hepatitis B before they can be admitted to the United States. This, despite the fact that there has never been a single documented case of an adopted child from another country posing any public health risk. This unintended consequence of the 1996 act has provoked major concerns among adoptive parents and for good reason. It is important to note that every year, American families adopt some 12,000 orphaned and abandoned children living in countries that cannot care for them. These adoptive parents and families endure innumerable bureaucratic obstacles and delays that frequently take many months or even years to overcome. International adoption is an expensive process. It is time consuming and it is often frustrating and can certainly be an emotional roller coaster for many, many parents.”