22 U.S.C. § 9121: Response to international child abductions

establishing legal rights and procedures for their prompt return; and ensuring the enforcement of reciprocal international obligations under the Hague Abduction Convention or arrangements under bilateral procedures; to promote the timely resolution of abduction cases through 1 or more of the actions described in section 9122 of this title ; and to ensure appropriate coordination within the Federal Government and between Federal, State, and local agencies involved in abduction prevention, investigation, and resolution. take 1 or more of the actions described in subsections (d) and (e) of section 9122 of this title ; and direct the Chief of Mission in that foreign country to directly address the resolution of the case with senior officials in the foreign government. The Secretary of State may delay any action described in paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that an additional period of time, not to exceed 1 year, will substantially assist in resolving the case. If the Secretary of State delays any action pursuant to paragraph (2) or decides not to take an action described in subsection (d) or (e) of section 9122 of this title after making the determination described in paragraph (1), the Secretary, not later than 15 days after such delay or decision, shall provide a report to the appropriate congressional committees that details the reasons for delaying action or not taking action, as appropriate. At the request of the appropriate congressional committees, the Secretary of State shall provide a detailed briefing, including a written report, if requested, on actions taken to resolve a case or the cause for delay. take 1 or more actions that most appropriately respond to the nature and severity of the governmental failure to resolve the unresolved abduction case; and to initially respond by communicating with the Central Authority of the country; and as narrowly as practicable, with respect to the agencies or instrumentalities of the foreign government that are responsible for such failures; and in ways that respect the separation of powers and independence of the judiciary of the country, as applicable. the population of the country whose government is targeted by the action or actions; the humanitarian activities of United States and nongovernmental organizations in the country; and the national security interests of the United States. When an individual who is an abducted child attains 16 years of age, a consular officer from a United States diplomatic mission in the country in which such individual resides shall, until either the left-behind parent seeking assistance or the individual (after attaining 18 years of age) requests the officer to cease, annually attempt to contact such individual, through welfare and whereabout visits and by engaging other agencies and foreign counterparts as necessary, to provide information, as relevant, on rights and privileges as a United States citizen, such as passports, and any eligible benefits from left-behind parent, such as G.I. educational and health benefits and to obtain a verified location of such individual.