Kim Refuses to Help Ukrainian Orphans Seeking to be Reunited with their American Families 

Since Putin Invaded Ukraine

CAPE MAY — Continuing to position himself far to the extreme of his colleagues, Andy Kim was the only member of New Jersey’s entire congressional delegation who did not sign on as a co-sponsor of congressional resolution H. Res. 915, which asks Ukraine to resume international adoptions with America.

The bi-partisan resolution was sponsored by Congressmen Chris Smith and Donald Norcross and spearheaded by former Democratic Senator Ray Lesniak, who’s been a vocal advocate for allowing hundreds of Ukrainian orphans to be reunited with their future adoptive American families.  These children and families have been separated ever since Putin invaded Ukraine.

“It’s mind-boggling to think Congressman Kim wouldn’t stand with the entire New Jersey congressional delegation in reuniting hundreds of Ukrainian orphans with their adoptive American families. My heart is breaking for these families and kids, who’ve suddenly been forced into limbo, and are at risk for being severely abused and mistreated. The American families, including two right here in New Jersey, just want to give these children a safe, forever home.  Why would any member of Congress not work their hardest to help them?” said Curtis Bashaw, New Jersey Republican candidate for United States Senate.  “Andy Kim is far more extreme than the rest of New Jersey’s congressional delegation on foreign policy matters –when it comes to supporting Israel and the Jewish community, keeping our families safe from terrorism, and even helping reunite Ukrainian orphans with their American families.”

According to the Lesniak Institute for American Leadership, when Putin invaded, Ukraine suspended adoption proceedings separating 300 American  families from the 200 orphans they were in the process of adopting. The American families are terrified due to the fact that their kids have been taken to Poland, Italy, Lithuania and Romania and in many cases are being mistreated. Many of the children have special needs. There are reports that their conditions are unlivable, the food inedible, and even cases of sex trafficking.

In a press release, Congressmen Smith and Norcross offered the following comments:

“There are many urgent cases in which Ukrainian children and US adoptive families have already established close bonds,” Smith said. “Many of these children and families were in the final stages of their adoption when adoptions were suspended more than two years ago. These adoptions should go forward.”

“The uncertainty of Russia’s unprovoked invasion in 2022 led Ukraine to suspend adoptions by foreign nationals out of concern for the safety of their children,” said Rep. Norcross. “As the war continues, it is in the best interest of Ukrainian children to resume adoptions with American citizens.  That’s why I am joining together with colleagues on both sides of the aisle in urging Ukraine to resume adoptions by American citizens who stand ready with open arms to provide a healthy, safe, and stable environments for these children who deserve better.”

Smith also thanked both former New Jersey State Senator Ray Lesniak and New Jersey international family law attorney Patricia Apy for their input in crafting the legislation.

The list of co-sponsors can be found here.