International Social Service, USA
We are the U.S. member of a global child protection and social service network. We connect vulnerable children, adults, and families, separated by a border, to the services and support they need.
ISS-USA coordinates services for U.S. and non U.S. citizens returning to their countries of origin, conducts home studies, finds relatives in other countries, obtains documents such as birth certificates and adoption paperwork, provides post-placement monitoring, and acts as advocates for children reuniting with families all over the globe.
Reuniting Families Across Borders
When 8-year-old Mateo was placed in foster care in the U.S., social workers discovered he had grandparents in Guatemala who wanted to care for him. ISS-USA worked with authorities in both countries to complete the necessary home study, coordinate the logistics of an international placement, and reunite Mateo with his family.
Helping Agencies Navigate Cross-Border Cases
A child welfare agency in Texas needed to conduct a home study for a child’s relative in Mexico, but they didn’t know how to manage the international process. ISS-USA provided the necessary expertise and coordination, ensuring the agency could make informed decisions for the child’s future.
Working Between States
A social work team in Connecticut is working to reunite 3-year-old Dana with her father in Florida. However, concerns arose about their lack of a prior relationship, and Dana’s speech and motor delays made it crucial to ensure continuity of her treatment. To support the transition, ISS-USA conducted a community resource assessment, helping to create a service plan that connects Dana and her father with local resources tailored to their needs, ensuring a stable and supportive placement.
VISION
We envision a world in which all children, adults and families separated by borders are connected so they may live safe, self-sufficient and meaningful lives.
MISSION
ISS-USA mobilizes a domestic and international network of social work, legal, and other professionals to connect children, adults and families separated by borders with the services and support they need.
VALUES
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From internship to impact 🎓
We’re celebrating our incredible case management interns as they graduate and take the next step toward becoming social workers. Thank you for the care, compassion, and dedication you’ve already brought to supporting children and families across borders. We can’t wait to see all the lives you’ll continue to impact in this next chapter. Congratulations!
For 100 years, ISS-USA has been connecting cross-border families and supporting children and families across borders. 💙
On October 9th, we’ll celebrate this incredible milestone — and we’re just getting started. Stay tuned in the coming months for stories, memories, special announcements, and more details about our 100th Anniversary Celebration!
In May, ISS-USA supported children, families, and individuals navigating cross-border challenges around the world. Thank you to our partners and supporters who help make this work possible every day.
Visit our website to see how you can get involved!
Thank you for following along with our Perception vs. In Practice series. We hope it helped shed light on the realities behind this work and the many layers involved in supporting cross-border families.
If you’re curious to learn more or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always here to connect.
Cross-border support isn’t one-size-fits-all. From family finding and engagement work, to community resource assessments and home studies and beyond, many families can benefit from cross-border services.
Placement is one step in a reunification journey. Continued support helps ensure long-term stability for children and families across borders.
No parent should have to navigate family separation alone.
This new explainer is designed to support parents, caregivers, legal advocates, schools, faith communities, and others working alongside immigrant and cross-border families. We encourage you to share it widely with your networks and communities.
Link in Bio!
Cross-border casework doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires collaboration across agencies, jurisdictions, and countries. That’s where we come in—bridging the gaps to support families every step of the way.
