Refugees and Asylum Seekers
The United States has a longstanding tradition of welcoming individuals from around the world who are seeking protection and refuge. But recent U.S. policy has grown increasingly hostile toward asylum seekers and refugees. Instead of turning vulnerable individuals away, the United States should maintain its global reputation as a leader in refugee resettlement and humanitarian protection. Doing so not only upholds American values but sustains and strengthens our communities. Data from the Council shows that refugees and asylees make tremendous contributions to our economy as earners, taxpayers, and consumers. Learn more about the contributions and challenges of asylum seekers and refugees below.
AG Garland Restores Judges’ Discretion to Manage an Overburdened Docket
Attorney General Merrick Garland today restored immigration judges’ ability to administratively close deportation cases. Read More
This Special Program Gives Refugee Athletes a Chance to Compete in the Olympics
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to expand a unique venture for the upcoming 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo: The Refugee Olympic Team. The expansion is part of the IOC’s long-term effort to empower displaced athletes both before and after the Olympics. The Refugee Olympic Team will feature athletes from 13 countries around the world, including Afghanistan, South… Read More
Coalition Letter Urges Immediate End to Title 42 Expulsions and Other Deterrence Strategies Against Asylum Seekers
The American Immigration Council joined a coalition of 105 organizations in expressing alarm over reports that the Biden administration may continue the harmful and unnecessary Title 42 expulsion policy for an additional two months. The letter also urged an end to other punitive measures against asylum seekers, including electronic ankle… Read More
Strategies and Considerations in the Wake of Niz-Chavez v. Garland
This practice advisory by the Council and partners provides an overview of the Niz-Chavez v. Garland decision and its impact on eligibility for cancellation of removal; eligibility for post-conclusion voluntary departure and broader applications of the decision. Read More
Scientific Evidence Shows Assumptions About Asylum Seekers’ Memory Are Wrong
How well should someone be able to remember every detail of a traumatic event? The U.S. government argues people should have a near perfect memory to obtain asylum—even if they experienced the trauma years in the past. Due to unprecedented backlogs in immigration court and the Asylum office,… Read More
Biden Will Admit Asylum Seekers Ordered Deported Under Trump’s Migrant Protection Protocols
Asylum seekers who were ordered deported for missing their U.S. court hearings under the Trump administration’s so-called Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP)—informally known as the “Remain in Mexico” program—will be allowed to restart their proceedings in the United States. Thousands of others whose cases were terminated because of procedural… Read More
On World Refugee Day, A Call to Rebuild U.S. Refugee Resettlement
World Refugee Day is celebrated internationally on June 20 every year. It honors the struggle of refugees around the world who are fleeing violence and persecution and are unable to safely return to their home countries. Over this past year, in the middle of a devastating global pandemic, the number… Read More
Attorney General Rescinds Two Trump Decisions, Restoring Protection to Many Asylum Seekers
Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on June 16 that he is restoring a vital lifeline to survivors of gender-based violence, gang violence, and violence on account of family relationships. Garland issued two decisions overruling Trump-era Attorneys General Jeff Sessions and William Barr’s rulings disqualify many such individuals from asylum in… Read More
Statement from NAE Executive Director Jeremy Robbins on Attorney General Merrick Garland’s order to vacate Trump-era limitations on asylum
Following Attorney General Merrick Garland reversing Trump-era immigration rulings on Wednesday, New American Economy issued the following statement: “We applaud AG Garland’s decision to vacate rulings that denied protections for those fleeing gender-based violence, gang brutality, and other human rights violations, said Jeremy Robbins, Executive Director of New American Economy. “This is… Read More
Letter Urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to Vacate Matter of A-B, Matter of L-E-A, and Matter of A-C-A-A
The Council joined 356 other organizations, law school clinics, professors, law firms, and practitioners in urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to vacate Matter of A-B, Matter of L-E-A, and Matter of A-C-A-A. These Trump-administrative decisions limit the circumstances under which an asylum seeker can win protection due to persecution on… Read More
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