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Latest News and Press Releases

January 20, 2021
Human Rights First Welcomes the End of the Xenophobic Muslim, African Bans
WASHINGTON -- Today, President Joe Biden, in one of his first acts as president reversed the Trump administration’s ban on immigrants and refugees from Muslim-majority and select African countries....
January 20, 2021
Human Rights First: Congress Should Act Quickly to Legislate Protections for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
WASHINGTON -- Human Rights First welcomed a legislative proposal from President Biden that would begin to repair the damage done to the U.S. immigration and refugee systems and called on Congress to...
January 13, 2021
“We Need Someone to See Us”: To Save Lives, the Biden Administration Should Quickly Restore Refugee Protection
Ana and Jorge, an Afro-Cuban couple, were kidnapped soon after U.S. border officers expelled them to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico in 2020. They’d crossed the border to seek protection in the United States...
December 22, 2020
Human Rights First Calls for Revocation of New Rule That Uses COVID-19 as Pretext to Deny Asylum and Other Protection
WASHINGTON – Human Rights First urges immediate rescission of a new regulation to be published tomorrow by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice that would deny asylum...
December 21, 2020
Human Rights First Files to Fight Rule that Guts Asylum Protection
WASHINGTON -- Today, Human Rights First, alongside counsel at Williams & Connolly, filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s sweeping new anti-refugee regulation, which will gut...
December 16, 2020
Humanitarian Disgrace: Human Rights First Blasts Ongoing Human Rights Abuses in U.S. Policies Targeting Asylum Seekers
WASHINGTON - In a new report, Human Rights First details the disgraceful abuse of the human rights of refugees at the U.S. southern border. The Trump administration continues to expel and return to...
December 15, 2020
Rule to Block Asylum Seekers From Protection Finalized in Last Days of Trump Administration
 Final rule creates virtually insurmountable barriers for asylum seekers to apply for and be granted humanitarian protection WASHINGTON  —  A final rule that will result in...

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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 | June 17, 2021
Immigration Court Asylum Hearings Versus “Review” of Asylum Officers’ Decisions
Recent media reports and government documents indicate that the Biden administration may publish an Interim Final Rule (IFR) to create a new process for asylum cases originating at the southern...
Letter | June 15, 2021
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Human Rights of Migrants in the United States
Human Rights First’s Submission to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants   This submission principally focuses on...
Letter | June 08, 2021
NGO Letter to DOJ and DHS on Reported New Asylum Process
Dear Attorney General Garland and Secretary Mayorkas: As organizations that provide pro bono legal representation, assistance, and advocacy for individuals seeking asylum in the United States, we...
Letter | June 01, 2021
Letter to NATO on Afghan LECs
Human Rights First and 16 partner organizations from seven countries published a letter calling on governments to act urgently to protect Afghan locally employed civilians (LECs) of NATO member...
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Our Experts

Emilee Cutright

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

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Rebecca Gendelman

Pennoyer Fellow/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

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” — Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
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