Sponsors (4)
The resolution increases attention and encourages use of diplomatic tools to help families of internationally abducted children, but it offers no new legal powers or funding and risks diplomatic friction and added costs without guaranteed results.
Custodial parents and children affected by international parental abduction: the resolution publicly identifies countries with patterns of noncompliance, which supports targeted diplomatic pressure that could increase returns and deter future abductions.
Department of State and DHS staff: the resolution encourages greater use of existing tools (MOUs, bilateral agreements, and the Prevent Abduction Program), which could improve interagency coordination and recovery efforts for abducted children.
Parents, families, and the general public: by raising awareness of the scale and harms of international parental child abduction (nearly 9,816 cases 2010–2020), the resolution can increase public support for services, advocacy, and resources for affected families.
Parents and children seeking remedies: because the text is findings-only and contains no new statutory deadlines, enforcement mechanisms, or funding, it is unlikely to produce faster returns or guaranteed services for victims.
U.S. foreign relations and taxpayers: publicly listing countries or applying pressure could strain diplomatic relations and complicate cooperation on other bilateral or multilateral issues.
Taxpayers and federal agencies: urging expanded diplomatic measures or broader use of MOUs may increase State Department and DHS workloads and associated costs without providing new appropriations.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes findings on international parental child abduction, names noncompliant countries, and urges the State Department to use existing authorities and publish related agreements.
Official title: Supporting the goals and ideals of "Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month" and expressing the sense of the Senate that Congress should raise awareness of the harm caused by international parental child abduction.
Introduced April 1, 2025 by Thomas Roland Tillis · Last progress April 1, 2025
Declares findings about international parental child abduction in 2010–2023, identifies countries the preamble says have patterns of noncompliance with international child‑return obligations, and urges the U.S. Department of State to fully use existing legal tools, make bilateral agreements or memoranda public, and coordinate with other agencies to prevent and respond to abductions. The resolution is a nonbinding statement of facts and recommended actions; it does not change U.S. law, create deadlines, or provide funding.