Ribble Works to Secure Release of DRC Adopted Children

Statement

U.S. Representative Reid Ribble (WI-08) released the below statement following a meeting with government leaders in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, regarding the children who have been legally adopted by Americans families but detained in the DRC--some for as long as two years:

"Adoption is a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, messy internal politics have prevented Congolese children like three-year-old Grace from coming home to her legal adoptive family in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and to hundreds of other adoptive families around the U.S. As part of my ongoing push to bring Grace and all legally adopted kids home, I met with Congolese Prime Minister Augustin Ponyo, cabinet members, and leaders in parliament in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. I encouraged them in the strongest terms possible to put politics aside and work in the best interests of these children. Through my position on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I will not let up until every legally adopted child is able to come home to the family that has waited years to welcome him or her."

A Green Bay family legally adopted Grace from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in early 2013 when she was just ten months old. Unfortunately, the Congolese government suspended exit visas for her and all other adopted children in December of 2013. As a result, Grace and hundreds of other children have now spent the majority of their short lives in orphanages waiting for a chance to join their families in the U.S.

Source