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Human Rights First

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Together, we defend freedom so justice and democracy prevail.

Family Detention Report

A New Era of ICE Family Prisons


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Yulia Honcharenko

Women Human Rights Defenders on Ukraine’s Frontline


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Our Rights, Our Freedoms: Democracy Watch 2025


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Key Projects

Together, we hold rights abusers accountable and defend vulnerable communities.

Military planeRefugee and Immigrant Rights

ICE Flight Monitor

Data-driven initiative tracking and documenting U.S. immigration enforcement flights.

ReadyNow! AppRefugee and Immigrant Rights

ReadyNow! App

Secure one-click emergency alert system for people at risk of arrest and detention.

Democracy WatchU.S. Democracy Protection

Democracy Watch

AI-driven monitoring tool tracking federal and state legislation that restricts rights.

Our Focus

Drawing on nearly 50 years of experience, we work to defend freedom and dignity for all, at home and abroad. Through our three, interconnected focus areas, we protect people, unite broad-based coalitions, and are reinventing human rights activism to deliver impact against the odds.

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Refugee and Immigrant Rights

We defend refugees’ and immigrants’ rights through legal representation, litigation, humane asylum policy, and accountability.

Democracy Protection

U.S. Democracy Protection

We bolster U.S. democracy by protecting civil liberties, challenging abuses of power, litigating, and mobilizing communities.

Uzra Zeya with megaphone

International Human Rights

We strengthen accountability, human rights, and humanitarian support systems, aid frontline defenders, and challenge impunity and corruption.

Group of people standing in front of US capitol

Contact elected officials, support key policies, and stand with people facing injustice at the local, state, and national levels.


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Active cases

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Through our strategic litigation, we defend democracy, protect refugees, and hold perpetrators accountable.

flyers of Yunseo ChungLawsuit

Yunseo Chung v. Trump Administration

Defending a lawful permanent resident from arrest for protected political expression.


young man standing in front of police department doorsLawsuit

El Sammak v. Egypt

Challenging Egypt’s assault on protesters, seeking accountability for violence on U.S. soil.


plane flying over barbed wireLawsuit

DVD v. DHS

Challenging DHS deportations to third countries without notice or protections.


Mother holding child walking down a roadLawsuit

Svitlana Doe v. Noem

Defending humanitarian programs to restore status and prevent instability and removals.


Support Our Work

Help us protect people facing persecution, strengthen democratic institutions, and advance solutions that uphold human rights.

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Your generosity makes this work possible.


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Research & reports

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Our research blends rigorous analysis, legal expertise, and local perspectives to produce nonpartisan, principled policy recommendations.

Refugee and Immigrant Rights

Jun 10, 2026

Speech

Jun 2, 2026

International Human Rights

May 22, 2026

International Human Rights

May 22, 2026