The International Law Review Association: Online Forum
Abstract
While international adoption is a beautiful concept in theory, it often leads to dark consequences. From its inception, human trafficking has enabled international adoptions. While the United States alone cannot dismantle the entire baby “black market” and the likely black market for children’s organs intertwined with it, the U.S. can remove its large contribution. By limiting the federal adoption subsidy to only domestic adoptions, the United States can ensure it only aids systems within its control and address the needs of its own children without homes more effectively. Many other authors have also noted various human trafficking and potential organ trafficking concerns, calling for greater scrutiny and international regulation. Although international regulations would be preferred, the United States can only do so much on its own. Limiting the federal international adoption subsidy to only domestic adoptions will be one effective step to eliminating this larger issue. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the impact of aiding international adoptions on homeless American children. Despite the altruistic intentions of international adoptions, the U.S. should prioritize investing more time and resources into its own foster care system. With around 400,000 children in need of homes, a broken foster care system, and an expensive and time consuming adoption process, there are many better uses for the subsidies currently aiding the trafficking of children abroad. This comment thoroughly analyzes the consequences of supporting international adoption, including the lack of concern for and blatant harm to domestic children, and proposes a solution for these longstanding issues.
Recommended Citation
Rachel Briner,
Comment,
U.S. International Adoption Subsidies: Shining Light on the Dark History of the Baby "Black Market",
ILRA Student Forum
(2024)
