Supreme Court Affirms Native American Adoption and Child Welfare Laws

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act, a law that protects Native American children from being removed from their families and tribes. The court overturned a Texas federal court's decision that the act was unconstitutional and rejected claims that it placed undue burdens on states and was race-based. The law has been hailed as the "gold standard" in child welfare practice for its role in supporting children's rights to be connected to their families and tribal communities. The decision is a major victory for Native tribes, children, and the future of their culture and heritage.