The shut down of regional passport issuing offices, and the directives to only issue passports in life or death situations, is creating very concerning delays for parents coming to the US and hoping to return home with their newborns as soon as possible. AAAA sent the attached letter to Secretary of State Pompeo and to the DOS, Bureau of Consular Affairs, expressing our concern. In part, the letter notes lack of health care for newborns and parents who linger in the States, travel visas expiring, and lack of adequate long-term shelter in which to care for a newborn as some of the top issues of concern due to the shut-down. To read the complete letter, click here.