Agency Collapse Leaves Families Without Embryos or Answers

An investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project details the collapse of a surrogacy agency that left intended parents without their embryos and surrogates unpaid. The agency's failure affected clients across multiple countries, stranding families mid-journey and leaving women who carried pregnancies without compensation. UA.NEWS also reported on the collapse, with both outlets describing significant financial and emotional losses.

If you are working with any agency, confirm in writing where your embryos are stored, who legally controls them, and what happens to that custody if the agency ceases operations. This story is a reminder that embryo storage agreements should sit with your clinic or a third party, not the agency itself.

The intended parents of the child at the center of the McKenna West case have formally opposed the surrogate's petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, calling it without merit. Multiple outlets including CNN, TMZ, and MS NOW reported that West, an Alaska surrogate, is seeking the Court's intervention after a Texas judge dismissed her custody claims over the baby, who was born with a heart defect. The biological parents argue that custody was settled at the lower court level and that the Supreme Court should not step in.

Worth watching closely. The Court's decision on whether to even hear this case will signal how seriously federal judges view surrogate standing claims when a written agreement exists.

Family law firm Mishcon de Reya published commentary through ePrivateClient arguing that the parliamentary debate has reignited meaningful calls for reform, even as the government has ruled out bringing forward new legislation. Today's Family Lawyer separately confirmed that the government will not act on the public petition beyond permitting the debate itself. Legal advocates say the debate, while valuable, falls short of what families actually need.

For UK intended parents, the legal gap remains exactly where it was. Parental orders are still the required route, and that process still takes months after birth. If you are mid-journey, your timeline planning should reflect that reality.

The UK government is now formally reviewing the surrogacy firm at the center of last week's insurance dispute, in which clients who pursued surrogacy in Mexico were hit with large unexpected bills after insurance claims were denied. FemTech World reported that the review was triggered by the scale of client complaints and the firm's role in facilitating arrangements that left families financially exposed. The firm has not publicly commented on the review.

This one is still moving fast. If you used this firm for a Mexico arrangement and have unresolved insurance claims, document everything now and contact a family law solicitor before the review concludes.

The South China Morning Post published an in-depth look at why China's crackdown on illegal surrogacy is struggling to produce lasting results, even after high-profile lab raids and closures. The piece describes an underground industry that quickly relocates operations and recruits new clients through encrypted channels. UA.NEWS separately confirmed that two more laboratories were shuttered this week in connection with suspected surrogacy activity.

The persistence of this underground market is a signal worth noting for anyone considering international arrangements: regulatory crackdowns can create sudden disruptions for families already mid-process, not just for the operators.

Surrogacy in the U.S. for International Intended Parents

Pursuing surrogacy in the United States as an international intended parent is entirely possible, and thousands of families from around the world have built their families here successfully. That said, there are several important practical and legal layers to understand before you begin.

One of the first things to consider is travel. Most international intended parents will need a B-1 or B-2 visitor visa to enter the United States for medical appointments, the birth, and any legal proceedings. You should plan to arrive well before your surrogate's due date to avoid unexpected complications, and it is wise to budget for an extended stay in case the birth or hospital discharge takes longer than anticipated.

Citizenship for your child is another critical area. A child born in the United States is generally granted U.S. citizenship at birth under the 14th Amendment. However, the child will not automatically receive citizenship from your home country. You will need to contact your home country's consulate or embassy to establish the child's citizenship and obtain a passport before you can travel home. Most consulates require a birth certificate naming you as the legal parent, a court-issued parentage order, proof of genetic connection in some cases, and completed passport applications.

Because of this, securing a pre-birth order — a court ruling that places your names on the birth certificate before the baby is born — is especially important for international parents. This document is foundational to everything that follows.

States like California, Nevada, Connecticut, Maine, and Washington are widely recognized as particularly welcoming for international surrogacy arrangements, offering strong legal protections and well-established court procedures for pre-birth orders. Working with an experienced reproductive attorney in one of these states can make a meaningful difference in how smoothly your journey unfolds.