International Adoption Paused by Visa Freeze: A Parent's Experience

Impact of Visa Freeze on International Adoptions

• 📌 Courtney Pickford, an adoptive parent, shares her experience after the U.S. administration suspended immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries.
• 💔 The decision has put her adoption process from Colombia on hold indefinitely, causing emotional distress and uncertainty.
• 💡 Historically, adoption visas have had exceptions during visa freezes, leading to hope that this is an oversight.

Personal Journey and Faith

• 🗺️ Pickford has been in the adoption process for two years, actively reviewing files and anticipating being matched with a child soon.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 As a single mom by choice, this adoption is her chosen path to grow her family, making the pause particularly emotional.
• 🙏 Her faith plays a central role, viewing adoption as close to the Lord's heart and trusting in His faithfulness through the uncertainty.

The Dilemma of Uncertainty

• 🤔 The hardest part of the uncertainty is the decision of whether to proceed with the adoption, knowing she might not be able to bring the child home, or to step back and leave the child available for another family.
• 🌍 Pickford highlights that her situation is easier than families currently stranded in Colombia, unable to bring their children home.

Seeking Resolution and Advocacy

• 🏛️ Pickford has contacted her congressman's office to raise awareness and encourage action from the State Department.
• 🕊️ She is praying for an exception for adoption visas to be added to the processing freeze, enabling families to be united and children to be brought home without further trauma.