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USCIS seeks input on the interim policy memos listed below. 

The Jurisdiction of Amended Home Studies and the Application of Home Study Age Restrictions for Prospective Adoptive Child(ren) in Intercountry Adoption Cases  

Department of State (DOS) announced today that the Agreement between the United States of America and the Russian Federation Regarding Cooperation in Adoption of Children will enter into force on Nov. 1, 2012.

In January, the Taiwan Child Welfare Bureau issued an administrative order that requires all adoption cases filed on behalf of U.S. prospective adoptive parents with the Taiwan courts to undergo the U.S. PAIR process. The order applies to all currently licensed Taiwan adoption services providers (ASP), and any ASPs which may be licensed in the future.

The bilateral adoption agreement between the United States and Vietnamexpired on Sept. 1, 2008.  Both nations have agreed to cease processing new adoption cases until the United States and Vietnamsign a new bilateral agreement.

Question:   Now that Sept. 1 has passed, what is the status of adoptions from Vietnam?

CBP memo concerning the exercise of prosecutorial discretion with respect to individuals who came to the U.S. as children.

Please check attached document to read CBP Memo.

USCIS memo on amending the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) to provide guidance on whether an “adoption” is valid for immigration purposes.

Please check the attachment to read guidance memo. 

Release Date 

06/11/2025

This policy memorandum (PM) provides guidance to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers in adjudicating Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er) or Special Immigrant, filed by a self-petitioning adopted child, when the adopted child has been battered or abused. Please click the attachment for more information on the memorandum