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Latest News and Press Releases

April 30, 2020
Human Rights First Warns Against Implementation of Honduras Asylum Agreement During Pandemic
WASHINGTON - Today, the Department of Homeland Security published the United States’ “asylum cooperative agreement,” agreement with Honduras - a move that may signal plans to move ahead with the...
April 21, 2020
Human Rights First: President Can’t Unilaterally Suspend Immigration
WASHINGTON – In response to President Trump’s tweet in which he said he would suspend immigration to the United States, Human Rights First issued the following statement:  “The White House is...
April 20, 2020
Human Rights First Denounces CDC Directive to Continue Illegal Expulsion of Asylum-Seekers
WASHINGTON – In response to the Trump administration’s announcement that it will extend its illegal practice of immediately expelling asylum seekers and unaccompanied children at the U.S. border with...
March 25, 2020
Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis While Protecting Asylum Seekers - Update
Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis While Protecting Asylum Seekers (Updated March 25, 2020) Amnesty International USA, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières USA, Human Rights First,...
March 20, 2020
As Employee of Detention Center’s Medical Unit Tests Positive for COVID-19, Human Rights First Calls on States, ICE to Ensure Rapid Reduction of Detained Population
WASHINGTON - In response to confirmation that an ICE employee at an immigration detention center in New Jersey who self-quarantined a week ago with symptoms has tested positive for COVID-19, Human...
March 17, 2020
Human Rights Advocates with Medical and Legal Expertise Call on Governors, State Health Officials to Direct Reduction, Release of Immigration Detainees to Prevent Coronavirus Spread
NEW YORK – Calling on governors and state health officials to use their authority to act in the interest of public health and protect immigration detainees, Human Rights First, Amnesty International...
March 17, 2020
Human Rights First Condemns Trump Administration Plans to Shut Southern Border to People Seeking Refuge, Disregard U.S. Law in Face of Coronavirus
WASHINGTON – In response to reports that the Trump Administration plans to shut the border to asylum-seekers, citing risks from coronavirus, Human Rights First’s Director of Refugee Protection...

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Related Event

May 5, 2019
World Refugee Day: Reception in Washington, D.C.

Once a year, World Refugee Day honors refugees and asylum seekers.

Yet every single day, we are inspired by the courage and resilience of those who fled danger, risking everything in hopes of building a better life for themselves and their families.

Join us on Tuesday, June 18th, for a reception celebrating our clients, honoring the work of our pro bono and community partners, and recommitting to shaping a brighter future for those seeking safety from harm.

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Learn MoreView all events

Resources

Factsheet | 2018
The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program

The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program 2009-2018 

What is the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program? 

Download

Factsheet | January 12, 2021
Chaos, Cruelty, & Illegality: The Trump Administration’s Record on Asylum
Download The Trump administration’s record on asylum is one of destruction, disorder, and blatant violations of refugee laws enacted by Congress. Its policies ...
Lawsuit | December 22, 2020
Human Rights First v. Wolf: Suing to Protect the Rights of Asylum Seekers
In its final days, the Trump administration published a sweeping regulation that will makes it nearly impossible for people who seek asylum in the United States to have it granted. Instead of...
Factsheet | December 15, 2020
Use of Public Health as Pretext to Ban and Block Refugees
Over objections of senior Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) experts and following instructions by Trump Administration officials, the CDC issued a highly flawed and roundly-criticized...
Amicus Brief | November 12, 2020
Amicus Brief - Pham v. Guzman Chavez
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT This amicus brief addresses the obligation of U.S. courts to construe federal statutes, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”), in a manner...
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Our Experts

Emilee Cutright

Program Analyst, Veterans for American Ideals
Related Campaigns & Topics
Refugee Protection

Rebecca Gendelman

Associate Attorney, Refugee Protection
Related Campaigns & Topics
Refugee Protection

Eleanor-Acer-HRF-2006.jpg

Eleanor Acer

Senior Director, Refugee Protection
Related Campaigns & Topics
Immigration Detention, Refugee Protection, Syrian Refugees, Xenophobia

Our Impact

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Human Rights First is a premier institution devoted to the noblest of all causes.

” — Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
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