---
kind: "section"
citation: "22 U.S.C. § 9001"
title: "22"
title_heading: "Foreign Relations and Intercourse"
number: "9001"
heading: "Findings and declarations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/22/9001"
units:
  - "Chapter 97 — International Child Abduction Remedies"
---

# §9001. Findings and declarations

- (a) **Findings—** The Congress makes the following findings:
  - (1) The international abduction or wrongful retention of children is harmful to their well-being.
  - (2) [Persons](/usc/22/9002.md?p=5) should not be permitted to obtain custody of children by virtue of their wrongful removal or retention.
  - (3) International abductions and retentions of children are increasing, and only concerted cooperation pursuant to an international agreement can effectively combat this problem.
  - (4) The [Convention](/usc/22/9002.md?p=2) on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, done at The Hague on October 25, 1980, establishes legal rights and procedures for the prompt return of children who have been wrongfully removed or retained, as well as for securing the exercise of visitation rights. Children who are wrongfully removed or retained within the meaning of the [Convention](/usc/22/9002.md?p=2) are to be promptly returned unless one of the narrow exceptions set forth in the [Convention](/usc/22/9002.md?p=2) applies. The [Convention](/usc/22/9002.md?p=2) provides a sound treaty framework to help resolve the problem of international abduction and retention of children and will deter such wrongful removals and retentions.
- (b) **Declarations—** The Congress makes the following declarations:
  - (1) It is the purpose of this chapter to establish procedures for the implementation of the [Convention](/usc/22/9002.md?p=2) in the United States.
  - (2) The provisions of this chapter are in addition to and not in lieu of the provisions of the [Convention](/usc/22/9002.md?p=2).
  - (3) In enacting this chapter the Congress recognizes—
    - (A) the international character of the [Convention](/usc/22/9002.md?p=2); and
    - (B) the need for uniform international interpretation of the [Convention](/usc/22/9002.md?p=2).
  - (4) The [Convention](/usc/22/9002.md?p=2) and this chapter empower courts in the United States to determine only rights under the [Convention](/usc/22/9002.md?p=2) and not the merits of any underlying child custody claims.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 100–300, § 2, Apr. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 437.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the original “this Act” meaning Pub. L. 100–300, Apr. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 437, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note below and Tables.

### Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 11601 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Short Title of 2004 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–370, § 1, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1750, provided that: “This Act [amending section 9006 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Prevention of Child Abduction Partnership Act’.”

### Short Title

Pub. L. 100–300, § 1, Apr. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 437, provided that: “This Act [enacting this chapter and amending section 663 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare] may be cited as the ‘International Child Abduction Remedies Act’.”