In a heart-wrenching display of bureaucratic entanglement, a British Columbia couple finds themselves trapped in a foreign country, their newly adopted children unable to come home to Canada due to unprecedented immigration processing delays. What should have been a joyous conclusion to their adoption journey has instead become a painful limbo, highlighting critical failures in Canada’s international adoption system.
Jason and Michelle Chen, from Surrey, B.C., traveled to Southeast Asia in February to finalize the adoption of their two children, ages 3 and 5. Six months later, they remain stranded overseas, their savings depleted and their patience wearing thin as they await the necessary immigration approvals to bring their children home.
“We completed every step correctly, submitted all documentation on time, and still we’re stuck here watching our children ask when they can see their new home,” Michelle told me during our video interview. “The emotional toll is unbearable, but we refuse to leave them behind.”
The Chens represent just one of dozens of Canadian families currently caught in similar circumstances. According to data from Canada’s Immigration Department, processing times for international adoptions have increased by nearly 300% since 2019, with the average wait now exceeding 18 months in many cases.
Immigration experts point to a perfect storm of factors. “The pandemic created a massive backlog that has never been properly addressed,” explains immigration attorney Samantha Okoye. “Combined with staff shortages at visa offices abroad and prioritization of other immigration streams, adoptive families have been pushed to the bottom of the pile.”
The financial burden compounds the emotional strain. The Chens have already spent over $85,000 on the adoption process, legal fees, and extended accommodations abroad. Jason, an IT specialist, has been working remotely but recently learned his position may be eliminated if he cannot return soon.
“We’re burning through our retirement savings to stay here with our children,” Jason explained. “It’s unfathomable that our own government would leave families in this position after we’ve followed every rule.”
The situation has drawn attention from Canadian political leaders. Opposition critics have called for immediate action, pointing to similar adoption backlogs that were successfully addressed in 2018 through dedicated processing teams.
“These are Canadian citizens trying to bring their children home,” said one Member of Parliament who has been advocating for affected families. “If we can expedite processes for other immigration streams, surely we can do the same for vulnerable children and their adoptive parents.”
Immigration Minister Marc Miller’s office responded to inquiries with a statement acknowledging the delays and promising “continuous improvements” to the system, but offering no concrete timeline or special measures for families already caught in the backlog.
For children like the Chens’ daughter Mei, the consequences of these bureaucratic delays extend beyond paperwork. Child development specialists warn that prolonged uncertainty during adoption transitions can create additional trauma and attachment challenges.
“Every day these children spend in limbo is affecting their development and sense of security,” child psychologist Dr. Elaine Werner told CO24. “The system is failing to recognize the human cost of these delays.”
Adoption advocates are calling for immediate action, including dedicated processing teams for international adoptions and temporary measures to allow adoptive children to enter Canada while final paperwork is processed—similar to policies already implemented by countries like the United States and Australia.
As global adoption practices continue to evolve, Canada’s approach appears increasingly outdated and inefficient. International adoption rates have declined worldwide, but countries with streamlined immigration processes for adoptive families report significantly better outcomes for both children and parents.
For the Chens, statistics and policy debates offer little comfort as they face another night in temporary housing, thousands of kilometers from home. Their story raises profound questions about Canada’s commitment to family reunification and the welfare of vulnerable children.
“We just want to take our children home,” Michelle said, her voice breaking. “Every morning they ask if today is the day we can go to Canada. How much longer must we tell them to wait?”
As dozens of Canadian families remain separated by red tape and processing delays, one must wonder: in a country that prides itself on compassion and family values, how have we allowed bureaucratic processes to trump the best interests of children and their waiting families?
