Fifty-five American families are making a desperate plea to the U.S. government, urging immediate action to safely evacuate their adoptive Haitian children as violence and instability in Haiti escalate. These families, who have already endured years of navigating a complex and often grueling adoption process, are now facing a new and immediate danger: the deteriorating conditions in Haiti that threaten their children’s safety and well-being.
Many of these children are living in overcrowded orphanages or temporary housing, where resources are scarce, and security is rapidly collapsing. Parents are increasingly alarmed as reports surface of minimal access to food, water, and medical care, compounded by growing threats from gang violence. The families are appealing to the Department of State (DOS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to grant humanitarian parole to these children, emphasizing that the adoptions are legally recognized both by the U.S. and Haitian governments. They argue that parole is not just appropriate but critical to protecting the lives of these vulnerable children.
Without intervention, these children remain trapped in dire circumstances. Some orphanage staff have fled in fear of gang attacks, leaving behind overwhelmed caregivers struggling to provide for the children. Reports from within Haiti paint a harrowing picture: in one orphanage, children were forced to huddle together for safety during a nearby gang assault. The emotional toll on these children, already profound due to prolonged separation from their adoptive families, is exacerbated by the daily threats they face.
Children with pre-existing medical conditions are at even greater risk. Families recount stories of children battling life-threatening conditions without access to necessary care. One family described their 7-year-old son’s urgent need for regular hospital visits to manage a congenital heart defect. Others shared concerns about untreated infections and illnesses, with some parents fearing their children may not survive the wait for evacuation. Advocacy groups have underscored the urgency of this crisis, warning that every day of delay puts these children’s lives further in jeopardy.
The families’ frustration is rooted in a history of delays and setbacks. Early in 2024, the DOS proposed a plan to relocate these children, only to later cancel it, leaving families devastated. A limited evacuation effort in April offered some relief but failed to address the broader need, leaving many families in limbo. Despite continued advocacy from lawmakers and support from human rights organizations, there has been no significant progress or clear timeline for the children’s safe relocation.
For these families, this effort goes beyond paperwork and policy—it’s about ensuring their children’s futures. The trauma these children have endured, from life in institutions to the uncertainty surrounding their adoptions, has left lasting scars. Parents describe heart-wrenching video calls where their children ask when they will finally come home, their unanswered questions hanging heavily in the air.
The coalition of families argues that the U.S. government’s inaction is not just a bureaucratic oversight but a failure to uphold a moral obligation. By delaying humanitarian parole, they contend, the government is leaving these children at the mercy of a worsening humanitarian crisis. The families are calling on DOS and DHS to act swiftly, prioritizing the safety of these children and reaffirming America’s commitment to compassion and human rights.
This is not just a plea—it’s a call for accountability. These children deserve the chance to grow up in safe, loving homes where they can thrive. Every day that passes without action compounds their risk and prolongs the anguish of the families ready to welcome them. The families’ appeals highlight the urgent need for intervention, urging the U.S. government to ensure these children are evacuated and reunited with the parents who have fought tirelessly to bring them home.