Braley Delivers US Capitol Flag to Nigerian Adoptee

Braley worked to end international bureaucratic nightmare for new Des Moines parents

Des Moines, IA – Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) presented an American flag flown over the US Capitol in Washington to one of Iowa’s newest residents, Joseph Craig, a Nigerian-born toddler adopted last month by Des Moines residents Jonathan and Kayla Craig.
 
Thanks to bureaucratic bungling and red tape in two countries, Joseph almost didn’t make it to Iowa at all.
 
“The Craigs are caring, determined, patient people, and that’s what it takes to adopt a child,” Braley said.  “But even the most persistent person would have felt broken by the bureaucratic quagmire faced by the Craigs.  It was a parent’s worst nightmare.
 
“It took three trying weeks, but I’m glad my office was able to make sure the Craigs’ frightening experience had a happy ending.”
 
In July, the Craigs received approval from the Nigerian government to adopt Joseph, and traveled to Benin City, Nigeria, where they met their son and gained legal custody.  On August 5th, the Craigs were informed in a final interview at the US Consulate in Lagos that Joseph would not be able to receive a visa allowing him to enter the US.  Despite already clearing an intensive review process and clearing numerous legal hurdles in both countries, the Craigs were told by American officials that a 6 to 12 month review into whether the Nigerian Magistrate violated Nigerian laws in clearing Joseph’s adoption was required before Joseph would be cleared to enter the US.
 
Scott Porter, Kayla Craig’s father and a resident of Waterloo, contacted Braley’s office to help navigate the mess.  After three weeks of wrangling with American and Nigerian authorities by Braley and caseworker Will McIntee – a process that included late-night phone calls and lobbying to the US Department of State – on August 24th, US officials issued Joseph a visa and he was allowed to fly home with his new mother.  On August 27th, Joseph arrived in Des Moines.
 
Braley employs a total of six caseworkers in three offices across eastern Iowa to help Iowans cut through red tape and navigate problems with the federal government.  From missing Social Security checks to passport problems, Iowans in need of help are urged to contact Braley’s Davenport office at (563) 323-5988.