Because we are…

National Experts

ISS-USA was a founding member of the ISS network, and has utilized almost 100 years of cross border expertise to serve separated families in a wide variety of contexts through the years.

Learn how we work with lawyers

Learn how we work with social workers

Compassionate

ISS-USA cares about what is best for the individual we are providing services to. Learn what it means to this mother and son to be reunited after 50 years.

Learn how ISS reunited this mother with her son after 50 years!

Mission Driven

Through the years, our mission has not changed, just the populations of people we serve. ISS has worked tirelessly to find child-centered, durable solutions through cross-border family reunification of American and non-American children separated from their families between the U.S. and over 100 countries around the globe.

Equity Statement

ISS-USA is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Justice (DEIBJ). We respect and value the different experiences of systematically excluded peoples and acknowledge their many contributions to our field. We aim to promote and center the voices and perspectives of historically underrepresented groups, both internally and externally, in our efforts to challenge structural oppression.

ISS-USA strives to ensure that all involved with ISS-USA represent the diversity of the people we serve, and that all are treated with dignity, kindness and compassion. We will continue to foster an inclusive environment where accountability around DEIBJ can thrive. We will work to create equitable access to opportunities and resources for internal and external stakeholders involved in the work of ISS-USA.

Why now?

ISS-USA has always been a socially conscious organization that acknowledges the complexity of human relationships, and the importance of dignity and worth of each person. Because of recent and increased collective consciousness raised about the continued impact of racial and structural oppression, we, at ISS-USA, have reflected on how we can be more intentional, transparent and data driven to identify inequitable gaps between how we behave and what we

85% are amazing women of color!

30% have lived in another country!

43% speak English and at least one other language fluently!

100% are women

Responsive

Over the past 25 years, ISS-USA assisted HHS to provide services to thousands of American citizen adults, children and families evacuated from countries abroad during earthquakes, hurricanes, a global pandemic and armed conflicts.

Innovative

When social workers could not meet their clients face to face during the pandemic, ISS-USA developed both practice and training on how to conduct assessments remotely.

Collaborative

ISS does not send U.S. social workers overseas, or run overseas programs, we PARTNER with local social work organizations and social workers in 130 countries around the globe and in the United States!

Efficient

The average person returning to the U.S. from another country is repatriated within 20 days or so from referral. We are able to secure the majority of home studies in foreign countries within 60 days.

Future Thinking

While intercountry adoption continues to decline, parents are seeking other ways of family formation. ISS advocates and educates on how to protect the best interest of children through assisted reproductive technology and surrogacy.

Resilient

Despite divided views on immigration, ISS finds solutions that are BEST for children, adults and families. Click here to learn more about our return and reintegration work in Guatemala and Honduras and future expansion of this program.

Cost Effective

While our services cost money, the reunification of a child with family means that the state will no longer be funding foster care and all the services associated with a child remaining in out of home care.

Why ISS-USA?