Adoptions delayed by DWIs get notice of Congress

A couple whose international adoption was put on hold over a drunken-driving offense, stranding the baby and mother in China, have drawn the attention of some of Minnesota's top elected officials.

Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar's office drafted a letter Friday asking that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services quickly resolve the case of Andrew and Michelle Ransavage, of Hopkins. The letter is expected to be cosigned by Sen. Norm Coleman and Rep. Jim Ramstad, both Republicans.

The officials have also spoken with a second couple, whose daughter is waiting in Guatemala because of a similar situation.

The Ransavages adopted a special-needs child, Mia, through Children's Home Society & Family Services in St. Paul. Andrew, 36, had been cited on a misdemeanor charge of drunken driving in January, but passed chemical dependency and psychological exams, as well as a second home study. He received approval of the Chinese government to adopt. China denies adoption to anyone with three drunken-driving offenses.

But the Bloomington immigration office denied a visa for the child because of the drunken driving offense -- contradicting recommendations from the psychologist and social workers overseeing the case. Michelle and Mia have been in a hotel in China for nearly two months, and their lawyer says they've been told Andrew must have no more drunken-driving offenses until November in order for the matter to be reconsidered.

An immigration spokeswoman said privacy issues prohibit the agency from discussing individual cases.

"These cases are not being decided in a dark office somewhere indiscriminately," said Marilu Cabrera, spokeswoman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' North Central region. "Our foremost responsibility is to the safety of the children. Each case is different and has different circumstances."

A second case

Jodi and Josh Campbell, of Hastings, couldn't believe when they read about the Ransavages in a Star Tribune article on Christmas Day. Their daughter, Maya, is in a foster home in Guatemala while they appeal a denial from the Bloomington immigration office.

Like Andrew Ransavage, Josh Campbell was stopped on suspicion of drunken driving last January. His case was reduced to an alcohol-related careless driving charge, Jodi said. They had just begun the adoption process and disclosed the charge from the outset. Adoption agency officials told them it would not prevent the adoption. Unlike Ransavage, Josh Campbell, 34, is not on probation -- a reason that immigration officials gave for Ransavage's denial.

"We asked about the DUI before we even began filling out paperwork," Jodi Campbell said. "There's no way we would have even tried if we thought this would happen."

She said immigration officials cited the fact that the offense was fairly recent. But adoption rules clearly say that some violations can be overcome by "mitigating factors," such as psychological and chemical dependency exams.

"We had five months of classes, psychiatric evaluations, three drug and alcohol assessments between each of us, fingerprint background checks, biographies, seven reference letters and a thorough home study," she said. "They all determined that we were completely qualified to adopt and we were approved by our agency."

Jodi Campbell has a degree in early childhood education and development and has coached gymnastics for 10 years. Josh Campbell is a mortgage banker.

Both the Ransavages and Campbells acknowledge the drunken-driving offenses were serious mistakes and they are glad the government is trying to keep adopted children safe. But both say they were one-time mistakes. Neither has any other criminal record.

Waiting for clarity

Richard Smith, director of adoptions for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, confirmed the Campbells' story.

"Historically, whatever the situation, the [immigration office] has always accepted the agency's judgment on these cases," he said. "If there's been a change in law or interpretation, they haven't told us. The worst thing you can do is to bring people through the process" and have it fall apart, he said.

"We need to know what are the offenses that prevent the infant immigration visa," Smith said. "So far, [immigration officials] will not even talk to us."

Denise Frazier is in charge of international adoption at the Bloomington office, according to spokeswoman Cabrera. Frazier has never met either family. Reached earlier this week, she referred questions to the Chicago office.

Cabrera said immigration officials are not questioning the judgment of the adoption agencies. "When we see a red flag, we need to interpret that so it's fair to both the child and family," she said, adding that appeals can take six to eight months, but priority is given to cases such as these.

A spokesman for Klobuchar said her letter is not taking a position on either family's fitness, but rather asking immigration officials to deal with the issue has soon as possible.

While they wait, the Ransavages talk via webcam every night -- he in Hopkins and she in China. The Campbells get regular updated pictures of their daughter in Guatemala.

"Our 3-year-old prays that his little sister will come home," Jodi Campbell said. "It's heartrending."

Jon Tevlin • 612-673-1702