Adoptions involving about 300 orphans from Ukraine and roughly 200 American families were suspended in 2022 after the Russian invasion and former State Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Elizabeth) has been working to reunite them.
“Support for continuing supplying Ukraine with expensive weaponry has waned,” said Lesniak. “This humanitarian action will help connect Ukraine with America.”
In a 372-6 vote and with the support of the entire New Jersey delegation, the House passed a resolution last week sponsored by Reps. Christopher Smith (R-Manchester) and Donald Norcross (D-Camden) urging the Ukraine government to resume adoptions by American citizens. Lesniak wants the Senate to do the same, and “bring this message to Secretary of State Blinkin and President Biden.”
Lesniak and international family law attorney Karolina Dehnhard, his partner in the effort, visited the orphans in Poland last year and delivered toys, clothing, candy and iPads.
“The orphans embraced us with love, not for our presents, but for our presence. We could only stay a few hours,” he said. “They need to be reunited with permanent love from compassionate American families.”
Smith last week pointed to the story of Matt and Deidre Gordon, who were in the final stages of adopting two orphans – a brother and sister – when the proceedings were halted.
“The Gordons had been vetted and approved as adoptive parents by both the U.S. and Ukrainian governments,” stated Smith. “They had a strong bond and relationship with Bogdan and Galena who had spent precious time with them at their home in New Jersey, including regular contact and two long homestays totaling five months.”
Norcross attended the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Montreal over the weekend and scheduled a meeting to personally deliver the House resolution.
“Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine has caused chaos in the region and been detrimental to the safety of Ukrainian children,” Norcross said. “It’s understandable why the government of Ukraine suspended these adoptions, but for the American families who were already going through the adoption process, met with these children, and formed strong bonds with them, it’s devastating.”