Adverse Consequences of Current Laws Deny forever homes to children awaiting adoption  115,000 children awaiting adoption from child welfare system Deny children the security of legal ties to parents  Children are legal strangers to a parent who loves and cares for them  Affects access to safety net programs, health insurance coverage, parental rights, survivor benefits, inheritance and more Denied stability and permanency  If parents' relationship dissolves or parent dies, custody/visitation/child support may not be appropriately awarded Children may be wrested apart from the only parents they have ever known  Children live in fear of parent's deportation
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