Commissioner James Ziglar of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and Ambassador Mary A. Ryan, Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State, are keenly aware of the humanitarian issues surrounding the suspension of adoptions in Cambodia. They have dispatched a joint senior-level Task Force to Cambodia to explore the possibility of establishing a special humanitarian initiative to provide relief to certain families who have been affected by the December 21 suspension on Cambodian adoptions.

The task force will meet with Cambodian government authorities to determine to what extent, through mutual cooperation, cases could be considered on a case-by-case basis for adjudication consistent with U.S. law.

INS and the State Department plan to report back to Congressional members and prospective adoptive parents concerning the results of the Task Force trip.

The suspension on adoptions in Cambodia remains in effect. Cambodian authorities have acknowledged that the U.S. Government's concerns were justified. The Foreign Minister of Cambodia declared orally to the U.S. Ambassador in Cambodia that the Cambodian Government had also suspended action on adoptions involving American families.

INS and the State Department appreciate the patience and cooperation of prospective adoptive parents as the task force tries to address all compelling interests in these matters.

© February 2002U.S. Department of State