Policy & RulesState Dept.#Entry & visa issuance#Enforcement & fraud#Family & green cards

State Department Announces Visa Restrictions on Officials Who Obstruct Child Abduction Cases

Published Sep 28, 2026

The U.S. Department of State announced a new policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to restrict visas for foreign officials, judges and others who intentionally impede the resolution of international parental child abduction cases. The restrictions also apply to the immediate family members of those individuals. The policy is meant to press non-compliant countries to meet their obligations and return abducted American children.

Key points

The policy applies to individuals responsible for or complicit in obstructing resolution of international parental child abduction cases.
Visa restrictions extend to the immediate family members of such individuals.
Targeted individuals include those who intentionally fail to implement or comply with laws, policies or court orders requiring a child's return.
The action is taken under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The Department says the policy gives it a new accountability tool against non-compliant countries.

Who is affected

Foreign government officials, judges, judicial administrators, law enforcement officials and their immediate family members involved in obstructing international parental child abduction case resolutions.

What to do

The source does not specify required action for the general public; visa restrictions are applied on a case by case basis.

Full text

The complete official text was archived on this site on 2026-10-12. It stays available here even if the source link changes or is removed.

hide

New Visa Restriction Policy to Promptly Resolve International Parental Child Abduction Cases

Press Statement

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

September 28, 2026

Protecting American children abducted across international borders and reuniting them with their parents is a top priority for the Trump Administration. When foreign government officials, judges, judicial administrators, law enforcement officials, and others intentionally obstruct the prompt resolution of these cases, they prolong family separations and block the return of children to the United States.

Today, I am announcing a new policy to restrict visa issuance to individuals responsible for, or complicit in, impeding the prompt resolution of international parental child abduction cases, as well as their immediate family members. This policy gives the Department a new accountability tool to press non-compliant countries to meet their obligations. The policy includes individuals who intentionally fail to implement or comply with laws, policies, or court orders to resolve these cases and return children to their country of habitual residence.

The Department proactively works to prevent abductions and facilitate the quick and safe and return of abducted children to their country of habitual residence. This policy will add another tool under U.S. law to promote accountability when countries fail to meet their obligations under international law. We are committed to protecting the safety and well-being of all American children.

These actions are being taken pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.