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At the heart of this controversy are American families like Amy Welch from Kentucky, who has spent years cultivating a deep bond with her adopted daughter, Penelope. Amy, along with her husband Steven, adopted their daughter from China in 2017 after her difficult medical circumstances and limb differences were diagnosed. Since then, they have been deeply involved in her life—sending her birthday packages, scheduling video calls, and ensuring she feels loved and connected despite the distance.
However, their hope of completing the adoption process has been thwarted by China's recent decision to halt and ultimately shut down its foreign adoption program in 2024. This decision leaves families like the Welches in limbo, unable to bring their children to safety and stability.