Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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![Hands touch despite bars in between](/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/hands-.jpg)
Press Release
“Hope Can’t Be Quarantined” campaign to help immigrants and asylum-seekers held in detention during the COVID-19 crisis
As a response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) have launched a new campaign entitled “Hope Can’t Be Quarantined.” The initiative encourages the public to support immigrants and asylum-seekers held in detention at this time of crisis and offers several ways to get involved. Participants can download a digital toolkit with instructions to write messages of hope to detainees, learn about immigration detention in the U.S., donate to detention visitation programs, and share their acts of support online. "As more Americans are confined to their own homes, they increasingly relate…
March 31, 2020
![A prisoner shines a torch from the main ICE detention center in downtown Los Angeles](/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/GettyImages-1155598918.jpg)
Press Release
As federal judge weighs release of children in immigration detention, COVID-19 risks grow
Responding to a temporary restraining order by Judge Dolly M. Gee of the United States District Court directing the government to make continuous efforts to release children currently being held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) custody, Denise Bell, researcher for refugee and migrant rights at Amnesty International USA said: "We still don’t know enough about how this pandemic can affect children. But what we do know is that children should not be detained, in any circumstances, because of their immigration status. Each day that a child is detained is a day that poses…
March 29, 2020
![Indians travel on a horse drawn vehicle on a deserted road as a nationwide lockdown continues](/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/GettyImages-1208478027.jpg)
Press Release
Battle Against COVID-19 in India Must Not Leave Behind the Poor and Marginalized
The three-week nation-wide lockdown to battle the COVID-19 pandemic in India have left millions of migrant workers stranded and the poor struggling to access essential services across the country. The policies and schemes that are being planned and implemented to battle the pandemic by the Government of India must alleviate and not aggravate the hardships of the poor and marginalized communities in India, said Amnesty International India. On March 24, 2020, in a televised address Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day nation-wide lock down, imposed under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. “India…
March 28, 2020
![Man walks into a hospital with a mask on his face to avoid Coronavirus](/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/GettyImages-1208033659.jpg)
Press Release
Media advisory: AIUSA to Provide Workshops on Aspects of COVID-19 and Human Rights
As COVID-19 has reached pandemic levels around the world, Amnesty International USA is piloting workshops to media on the aspects of COVID-19 and human rights. While the focus has rightfully been on individual hygiene advice, social distancing, and bolstering health care and social support systems, now, more than ever, conversation must shed light on human solidarity. This is a time when we have the opportunity to help end demonization and anger – and move forward with empathy and kindness. Amnesty International USA is ramping up response efforts to advocate for those most at risk and working to ensure that all…
March 23, 2020
![Qatar Migrant Worker in orange vest](/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/223619_qatar_migrant_workers_-_stills_from_video.jpg)
Press Release
Qatari Migrant Workers in Labor Camps at Grave Risk Amid COVID-19 Crisis
Responding to reports that parts of Qatar’s Industrial Area in Doha - home to a large number of migrant workers’ accommodation - has been put into lockdown after hundreds of construction workers became infected with COVID-19, Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director of Global Issues, said:
March 20, 2020
![Amnesty International USA activists speak out against a ban and a wall against people](/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/236413.jpg)
Press Release
U.S. Border Closure is Cruel, Short-sighted, and Opportunistic
Responding to the United States announcement that the country will imminently close its border with Mexico and Canada, Charanya Krishnaswami, the Advocacy Director for the Americas at Amnesty International USA, said: "It's hard to imagine travel more essential than the journey an asylum-seeker makes to flee persecution. Yet today's restrictions, which empower the US to push back people who lack proper documentation, may inexcusably prevent asylum-seekers and unaccompanied children - two of the populations at greatest risk of danger - from accessing safety. "This is cruel, short-sighted, and opportunistic. Every person has the right to seek safety. Full stop." To schedule…
March 20, 2020
![Central American migrants at the border with Mexico](/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/GettyImages-1194878376.jpg)
Press Release
Trump Administration Using Coronavirus Pandemic to Justify Discriminatory Ban on Asylum-Seekers at Southern Border
Following reports that the Trump administration intends to issue a new rule that would allow U.S. agents to turn back all asylum-seekers entering from Mexico in light of the coronavirus pandemic, Charanya Krishnaswami, Advocacy Director for the Americas at Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) issued the below statement:
March 18, 2020
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Press Release
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
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 USA and Physicians for Human Rights asked that these officials direct drastic reductions in detention occupancy and pressure the federal government to release immigration detainees being held in their states, in letters sent out today.Â
March 17, 2020
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Report
Countries cracked down on asylum and the right to protest in the Americas in 2019
As millions took to the streets to protest rampant violence, inequality, corruption and impunity, or were forced to flee their countries in search of safety, states across the Americas clamped down on the rights to protest and seek asylum last year with flagrant disregard for their obligations under domestic and international law, Amnesty International said today upon launching its annual report for the region. “2019 brought a renewed assault on human rights across much of the Americas, with intolerant and increasingly authoritarian leaders turning to ever-more violent tactics to stop people from protesting or seeking safety in another country. But…
February 27, 2020
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Press Release
Free Senator de Lima and End Attacks on Rights Defenders in the Philippines
Philippine authorities should immediately release Senator Leila de Lima, who has been detained for three years, and drop the politically motivated charges against her, Amnesty International, FORUM-ASIA, and Human Rights Watch said today.
February 24, 2020
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Press Release
2020 Presidential Campaigns Pressed on Immigration and Asylum Platforms During Amnesty International USA Forum in Nevada
Las Vegas, NV - On Thursday, February 20th, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA), in partnership with the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN) and 15 national and Nevada-based co-sponsoring organizations, held a presidential candidate forum on immigration and asylum issues in Las Vegas, Nevada. BuzzFeed News’ Hamed Aleaziz, along with refugees, Dreamers, and other people affected by our immigration system, pressed Minnesota State Senator Melisa Franzen (for Amy Klobuchar), Faiz Shakir, National Campaign Manager (for Bernie Sanders), Congressman Joaquin Castro (for Elizabeth Warren), Tom Steyer, and Nevada State Senator Yvanna Cancela (for Joe Biden) on their policy platforms ahead of Saturday’s…
February 21, 2020
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Press Release
Provision Criminalizing Human Rights Defenders at the Border Criminalizes Humanity
As the Supreme Court of the United States prepares to hear arguments on February 25 in the case of United States v. Sineneng-Smith, on whether to strike down as unconstitutional a criminal provision, which makes it illegal to “encourage” or “induce” people to violate U.S immigration law, Amnesty International has submitted an amicus brief providing why the provision is unconstitutional. Justin Mazzola, deputy director of research at Amnesty International USA said: “At a time when this country is enforcing some of the most inhumane policies against people seeking safety, the people who are showing humanity amidst the cruelty are being unjustly…
February 18, 2020