China recently announced a halt to nearly all foreign adoptions, ending a program that has united thousands of American families. The program, which began in 1992, facilitated the adoption of over 82,000 Chinese children in the United States. While many adoptive families are grateful for the opportunities the program provided, others recognize its dark sides, including abuses and the trauma experienced by children separated from their birth families and culture. The need for international adoption in China arose from strict family planning policies and a traditional preference for boys over girls, leading to the abandonment of many baby girls who were later adopted abroad. However, reports of trafficking and abuses tarnished the program's reputation. With China's economic growth and increased support for orphans, international adoptions from China have declined, focusing more on children with disabilities. For many Chinese American adoptees, the experience is marked by both gain and loss, as they grapple with questions of identity and the longing to connect with their birth culture. Some adoptees have managed to reunite with their birth families, while others face challenges of racism and alienation in their adoptive communities. The end of the international adoption program raises concerns about the future of China's orphans with medical needs and the potential hardships they may face. Despite the program's end, adoptees like June Cubbage-Troop, who underwent 11 surgeries for a cleft lip and palate, are thriving and seeking opportunities to connect with their birth culture. As June embarks on her college journey, she plans to explore her roots by studying abroad in Guilin, the city of her birth. The impact of China's decision to halt international adoptions and the future of its orphaned children remain uncertain, leaving both adoptive families and adoptees grappling with a range of emotions and challenges.