Effects of the Ban for Those Already Home

You daughters have American passports. By law, they are American citizens and I can't imagine why they would be detained while in Russia. I understand that the adoption ban is causing a lot of heartache and pain to many families around the country. But, we can't forget, especially in difficult moments like these, that children adopted from Russia deserve to know their homeland, their culture, and their heritage. We can't forget that it's our responsibility to make all that available to them. How would we feel if Russians adopted American babies and didn't allow them to visit USA? Just something to think about

Shark01, I was thinking the same thing! the Russian Embassy will not issue travel visas to previously adopted children and insist they travel on their Russian passports. Way too risky to travel there right now, in my opinion. I am so sad about this entire situation!

Guys, be thankful that your child is home. No need to find some way to make the ban about those of us who have prevailed in this process. Use this time to grieve for those who have met their children and now may never be reunited with them. This really isn't the time to be poormouthing about our children not being able to visit the country that they so desperately needed to be freed from.

The point is this affects all of us, not just the relative few in process. I don't care for your attitude that the children's birth culture is simply something they "desperately needed to be freed from". Russia is still a wonderful country, and I cherish all the memories. For MarieClaire, no matter what passport they hold, Russia considers them Russian citizens and that would carry a great deal of risk.

I am definitely grieving because I probably won't get to take my daughter back to her birth country for a much needed visit. We can all share our thoughts/feelings here without being chastised. Lets not turn this wonderful forum into a FRUA forum. This ban affects all Russian adoptive parents, no matter what our individual situations are.

I don't think there's a need to panic. This new law is in response to the Magnitsky law that Obama signed banning from entering the US certain individuals he/they considers guilty in the death of Mr. Magnitsky and others they consider criminals against democracy. The Russian law is an exact response to ban all individuals their government considers guilty in ANY crime against ANY Russian citizens, including adoptive parents, judges who acquitted murderers, etc. At least that's my understanding. Believe it or not, the adoption issue is a small part of the law, just very sensitive. So, it's up to each country to decide who they consider a criminal, but, personally, I don't think anyone who has not done anything wrong against their child (i.e. been taken to court for abuse, or failed to work with the Russian adoption officers through their agency post adoption, or otherwise negatively reported, etc.) has to worry visiting birth country. Just my 2c.

I'm. Sorry you were attacked for expressing a genuine feeling that you are not the only one to have. Let's be supportive of everyone. I too fear that my girls will never get to see their amazing birth country that is a huge part of our every day lives. Russia is where they started and have a deep appreciation for the country and its people. The way things are going, I do fear that they close their borders to us all in the future. Some political figures may think we don't appreciate our kids birth country, but we keep their culture alive as much as possible.I want my girls to be proud they are American AND Russian.

Unfortunately as of right now, all adoptions are stopped and even if the intent of the Russian law was to be able to declare a certain person a criminal, they have basically used it as a way to stop all adoptions to American citizens. This means that all adoptions that were in process and even those who were days away from walking into to court to adopt can not do that now. It's disgusting retribution from Putin on the backs of children. I don't even really have words to describe how horrible this is. I personally believe that it shows just how little people like Putin know or care about the children not only in orphanges, but in general.

Caddo...I agree...these poor children were used as political pawns & it is disgusting! I too would not consider taking Mila back to Russia under these circumstances. It is a shame because it is a beautiful country, rich in history & most everyone we came accross was friendly & kind. Its the politicians I have an issue with right now & if they blatantly disreguard the 1 year waiting period to implement this ban (which I understand they will), then I'm wondering why bother with the post placement reports we're supposed to submit. I'm finding it hard to justify spending $700 a pop for those reports under these new curcumstances. I'm not saying we aren't going to do them, but if they are willing to stoop this low & punish the childern to make a political point, then it seems to me they could really care less about those reports because they clearly do NOT have the children's best interests at heart!

YOU may be detained. Your signature screams corruption! Sorry, if you didn't do anything wrong. But it really looks like you did. I hope you care nicely for your expensive purchase. What I don't understand, is how can you whine about some law, after being engaged in child trade? You know, this is a very serious offense. Regardless of anything.

For Russia they are also Russian citizens, and will always be, unless they denounce the citizenship when they grow up. But there must be something really bad for a social service to take them from family. Parents, on the other hand, have something to worry about. Arrest is just a theoretical possibility, but a possibility nevertheless. There's also a possibility that they will be submitted to Interpol. So, US is not really a safe shelter.