Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? You’re not alone. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand who we are, what we do, and how we do it. If you don’t see your question here, just reach out — we’re always happy to help.

General

What types of case support does ISS-USA provide?

If you have a question about a case with an international component and don’t know where to start, make an inquiry to [email protected]. We can answer your questions and can guide you on helpful steps to take.

When your inquiry requires connecting with other experts or professionals, or providing more case-specific answers, we can open a case for Technical Assistance (TA).

 If your issue requires a discrete service, we require a complete referral to open an International Case.  ISS-USA offers a wide range of international services to support permanency planning, legal aid and family reunification. 

Who is eligible to receive services from ISS-USA?

ISS-USA provides case management and technical support services on behalf of any US-citizen or non-citizen child or family experiencing or facing a cross-border separation.

Where can ISS-USA provide its services? How are international cases managed?

ISS-USA has partners in more than 120 countries to provide services and connect with local child and family-specific resources. Each country partner works autonomously and through credentialed social work and child welfare professionals local to each country.

 If we don’t have an ISS partner in the requested area, we will work to identify alternatives and will send a letter stating why we cannot open a case.

What happens if ISS-USA cannot provide the service that I requested?

There are three reasons why we will not open a case:

We do not have a partner in the country/state where you need service.
The service you requested is not one that our partner or we
are able to provide.
There is insufficient information on the referral to open the case.

If we are unable to provide a service for the first two reasons we can provide you with a letter of due diligence that shows your effort on behalf of the child in your care. The letter will explain that we received your referral but are unable to open the case because of the two issues noted above.

If there is missing information on the referral we can work with you to gather more information and suggest ways of identifying other sources of information. Please contact us through email: [email protected]

How can I get tracking updates on how the case is progressing? How long do services take? What can I expect during my case?

Once a case is opened, an ISS-USA case manager will be in contact with you at least once a month to give you updates on the case. How long it takes depends on many factors such as geographical area, climate, political activities, type of case, and responsiveness of family.

Can ISS-USA assist in cases involving immigration enforcement?

ISS-USA does not provide any legal representation, but we can provide services to reunify families when they are separated, or face separation, as a result of detention or deportation. See our full list of services here.

I have questions about a relative adoption in another country. What do I do?

International adoptions can be quite complex and subject to international treaties depending on the country. While ISS-USA does not provide adoption services we are happy to provide you with technical support in the process. Please contact us at [email protected] and let us know how we can help.

Can I contact an ISS-USA partner in another country?

ISS-USA communicates directly with all network partners and acts as the liaison between parties. For open cases, ISS-USA will initiate and facilitate any communication necessary for case resolution.

How do I obtain assistance with repatriation from a foreign country?

Your first step is to contact the U.S. Embassy in the foreign country you are currently visiting for assistance. Here is the complete list of US Embassies and Consulates .

For additional information about the U.S. Repatriation Program please click here.

Social workers

Can you help me find a relative in another country for a child I am working with in the United States?

Yes, ISS-USA provides international family tracing services to locate relatives abroad and assess their suitability for reunification. A successful outcome of this service begins with how much information we have in the first place. The more information we have on relatives such as FULL name, phone number, last contact etc.  the quicker we can find them and start the reunification process.

What kinds of travel documents does my client need if they are traveling out of the US.?

Required documents vary depending on the country, the citizenship status of the person, and whether the relocation is may include passports, visas, and travel permits. It depends on the country they are traveling for visitation or long term placement/relocation. ISS-USA provides document tracing service and can help with consular coordination, communication and work with our partner countries to help with this.

What do I need if I’m trying to obtain a birth certificate for a child born in another country?

Each country has a different procedure for obtaining these legal documents. Typically, you minimally need the child’s full name and date of birth, and the name of the biological mother. Full names and birthdates of both biological parents and place of birth increase the likelihood of obtaining a birth certificate. We can open a case for document tracing and an ISS-USA case manager will liaise with international partners to work through all the necessary steps.

How can I ensure that a child under my care continues to receive education, health and other services even after moving to a different country?

ISS-USA can conduct a community resource assessment when planning for an international reunification to assess what services are available in the area. The community resource assessment is specific to the needs of the child and family, and will provide contact information for recommended services that can be mobilized upon the child’s return. ISS-USA has helped child welfare agencies obtain beds and other furniture, coordinate tuition payments, and facilitate other specialized services in other countries to respond to case plans and ensure family separation is not prolonged unnecessarily.  ISS-USA is not able to provide ongoing case management in the new country but can provide post placement reporting and referrals.

I am working with a family with mixed legal status and exploring the best permanency plan. How can ISS help?

ISS-USA can provide home assessments with maternal and paternal relatives in over 120 countries. Home studies and other family-based assessments are completed by local professionals and use case-specific information to evaluate the relative’s safety and suitability to care for all children included in the referral. ISS-USA can also advise on issues related key documentation, help obtain documents and coordinate travel for placement taking into account the needs of each child. ISS-USA can also facilitate participation of overseas family in court hearings or family team meetings.

I am a working with clients that want to return to their country of origin  but haven’t lived there in many years, where do I begin?

It involves the process of identifying relatives/family members and if they are willing and able to take care of the child. After that, we start the process of reunification. ISS-USA offers home studies, family tracing, travel coordination, and Technical Assistance for children seeking to return to their home country.

How do I transfer custody of a child to a relative in another country, and what happens to benefits or citizenship?

ISS-USA can help guide you through the country- and family-specific process of transferring custody, alongside your legal department or lawyer. Each country has its own rules for recognizing custody orders, and allowances for dual citizenship, so legal guidance is needed. Foster care or kinship care payments may or may not follow the child depending on your state’s regulations.

Does ISS provide in-home services or ongoing case management after a child is placed?

ISS-USA does not have authorization to supervise placement or provide ongoing case management. Upon request, we can complete post-placement reports and make recommendations, including helping facilitate connection to local service providers. If post placement reporting identifies risk, the child/family will be referred to local protection authorities.

What will happen if a home study or other service is not positive? 

The assessment process aims to work towards safe, sustainable placements for children. Assessments that identify risks or deficits with the prospective placement will typically recommend steps that would help families safely reunite, or detail any significant safety risks if there is a recommendation against placement. ISS-USA partners cannot approve or deny a home. 

Lawyers

I am a working with a child who doesn’t have a case for adjustment of status/OR who wants to voluntarily return to their home country. What type of services are available for them?

ISS-USA works with local child protection systems and community-based agencies in 120 countries to support cross-border reunification planning.

ISS-USA offers family tracing, home studies, community resource assessments, travel coordination, and post placement reporting for children seeking to return to their home country. We can also help assist getting key documents necessary to arrange travel. For a detailed description, see our services [HERE] or contact [email protected] to inquire about case-specific needs. We can recommend services that ensure that the child is able to return to to a safe, loving environment with access to appropriate services and legal protections.

I am representing a child whose parents are How can you help?

ISS-USA can provide technical assistance related to long-term planning, including preparing for and supporting family reunification in a parent’s country of origin. The nature of our support will depend on the family’s involvement with child welfare, short- and long-term goals, citizenship status and country of origin.  Examples of support include obtaining documents from a country of origin, and conducting home studies with parents or relatives in a country of origin as well as community resources assessments to establish a reintegration service plan. ISS-USA can also provide travel coordination assistance for family reunification. Full descriptions of the services are available:

When a detained parent wishes for their child to remain in the U.S., ISS-USA can provide some technical assistance and connection to resources to ensure the guardianship arrangement is sustainable. ISS-USA can also coordinate child welfare checks with children in the U.S. to ensure ongoing safety and wellbeing.  

What do I do if a US citizen child is going to be placed with family in another country?

There are a lot of things to consider when preparing for a child’s placement overseas, including immigration requirements for them to remain legally in the country, if a dual national, what is needed to maintain their citizenship in the U.S. and any limitations on their eligibility for services in the community. It’s also important to obtain key documents needed by parents or guardians to ensure the child can remain in their care without risk of disruption. We are happy to work with you on various services such as home study, community resource assessment, and post-placement follow-up.

Can you help me with managing custody between caregivers in two countries and make sure the process is well?

ISS-USA can work on private custody cases when both caregivers agree to services. Examples of services provided may include child welfare checks with the child in a caregiver’s home, or a home study to assess the suitability of a potential custodian’s home in another country.