This resolution supports the goals of "Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month" and urges Congress to raise awareness about the serious harm caused by international parental child abduction.
Thom Tillis
Senator
NC
This resolution supports the goals of "Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month" by recognizing the severe harm caused by parents taking children out of the country without permission. It urges Congress to raise public awareness regarding the devastating impact of international parental child abduction on children and families. The Senate expresses its sense that continued government leadership is vital to combat this serious issue.
Congress Designates April 2025 to Raise Awareness of International Parental Child Abduction
This Senate resolution is straightforward: it officially marks the entire month of April 2025 as "Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month." It’s essentially Congress using its voice to shine a spotlight on a serious, often overlooked issue—when a parent takes a child out of the U.S. without the other parent’s legal consent, separating them from their home and custodial parent. The resolution’s main purpose is to raise public awareness about the severe emotional and psychological damage this causes, and to encourage the U.S. government to keep prioritizing the safe return of these children.
The Real-World Stakes of International Abduction
For most people, the idea of a parent abducting their own child and taking them overseas sounds like something out of a movie, but the numbers are startling. Between 2010 and 2020, nearly 10,000 children were reported abducted internationally. Even last year, U.S. citizen children were involved in abduction cases across 105 different countries. This resolution highlights that this isn't just a custody dispute; the Supreme Court recognizes it as a form of child abuse, causing significant harm like anxiety, nightmares, and fear of abandonment when kids lose their community and stability.
How the Government Fights Back Now
This resolution isn't creating new laws, but it’s a big, official nod to the work already being done. It underscores the importance of programs like the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program, which helps prevent abductions before they happen. If you’re a parent with custody concerns, enrolling your child in this program means the State Department checks with you before issuing a passport, which is a critical safeguard. The resolution also calls for the State Department to keep using the full force of the Sean and David Goldman Act to push countries that don't cooperate—like those flagged in 2023, including Argentina, Brazil, India, and the UAE—to return abducted children.
The Tough Reality of Enforcement
While this resolution is positive, it acknowledges the massive implementation challenges. Once a child is taken out of the U.S., especially if they travel to a third country or have dual citizenship, tracking them becomes incredibly difficult. In 2023, only 205 children were successfully returned, showing how tough these international negotiations are. By setting aside April 2025 for awareness, the Senate is effectively trying to rally public support and keep diplomatic pressure on foreign governments to treat these cases with the urgency they deserve, hopefully increasing the number of successful returns in the future.