Category: Immigration

U.S. Expands Birthright Citizenship of Babies Born Abroad to Same-Sex Couples

May 20, 2021

In a historic update to exisiting policy, the U.S. State Department made the decision to recognize U.S. citizenship of babies born abroad to same-sex married couples, regardless of whether an American parent is biologically related. More from HuffPost.   In a victory for LGBTQ rights, the State Department updated its policy to recognize the U.S. … More U.S. Expands Birthright Citizenship of Babies Born Abroad to Same-Sex Couples

President Biden’s Swift Immigration Action brings added Hope for LGBTQI Refugees

January 20, 2021

Thanking President Biden on Quick Immigration Action with a Hope for added considerations for LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers Newly inaugurated President Joe Biden signed several executive orders today including the repeal of the Trump administration’s travel bans, which barred people from many African and Muslim-majority countries from coming to the United States. The Biden administration … More President Biden’s Swift Immigration Action brings added Hope for LGBTQI Refugees

Help Stop Trump from Gutting our Asylum Laws

October 20, 2020

On September 23 the Trump administration proposed a cruel new rule that will gut due process and make it virtually impossible for asylum seekers to have their fair day in court. This rule places the odds so strongly against an asylum seeker its tantamount to an absolute denial of right!  This will have the effect of … More Help Stop Trump from Gutting our Asylum Laws

AHRC Submits Comment Opposing the EOIR and USCIS New Trump Proposed Asylum Rule

August 10, 2020

On July 9 the Trump administration introduced yet another hateful asylum rule – this time exploiting pandemic fears and weaponizing specious public health claims against asylum seekers. African Human Rights Coalition submitted its public comments today. We urge as many people as possible to speak out against this shameful attack on asylum seekers. An outpouring of comments … More AHRC Submits Comment Opposing the EOIR and USCIS New Trump Proposed Asylum Rule

Stop Trump from Using Pandemic Fears to Ban Asylum Seekers

August 7, 2020

THIS IS THE SECOND RULE ASK WE ARE WORKING ON: On July 9 the Trump administration introduced yet another hateful asylum rule – this time exploiting pandemic fears and weaponizing specious public health claims against asylum seekers. We have just a few days left to speak out and submit public comments opposing the rule before the … More Stop Trump from Using Pandemic Fears to Ban Asylum Seekers

Trump Must Stop destroying the US Asylum System

July 31, 2020

First Appeared in Gay Star News: We must stop Trump from destroying the US asylum system 20 JUL 2020 by Melanie Nathan. In his 2016 election campaign, Donald Trump claimed Mexico was offloading ‘rapists’ at the border. And he vowed his administration would no longer accept this. Four years later, his trajectory of scapegoating and … More Trump Must Stop destroying the US Asylum System

A Win – No Ban Act Passes the House – Pertinent to Vote Trump Out

July 24, 2020

For more than three years, the Trump administration has done what it can to stop Muslims, refugees, asylum seekers, and many others from entering our country. The passage of the National Origin-Based Anti-discrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act is a major step toward ending discrimination in our immigration laws and policies.​ It happened- In the … More A Win – No Ban Act Passes the House – Pertinent to Vote Trump Out

Canadian Court Strikes Down Safe Third Country Agreement with United States

July 22, 2020

Marin, CA (July 22, 2020) –  The Federal Court of Canada,  returned an historic decision today, striking down the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) between Canada and the United States. The decision from Justice Anne Marie McDonald found the agreement to be unconstitutional, holding that it violates the guarantee in the Canadian Charter of Rights and … More Canadian Court Strikes Down Safe Third Country Agreement with United States

Responding to Trump Killing Asylum

July 20, 2020

In his 2016 election campaign, Donald Trump claimed Mexico was offloading ‘rapists’ at the border. And he vowed his administration would no longer accept this. Four years later, his trajectory of scapegoating and lies has yielded the Department of Homeland Security and the Executive Office of Immigration Review’s new rule. This rule effectively destroys the asylum process … More Responding to Trump Killing Asylum

World Zionist Congress Embraces LGBTQ Initiatives

July 6, 2020

The 37th World Zionist Congress currently taking place in Jerusalem for the first time is setting up a unit to work with the LGBTQ Jewish community. Within the framework of Pride Month, the World Zionist Organization (WZO )has established a Unit for Activities with the LGBT community that will operate in three spheres: The central one will … More World Zionist Congress Embraces LGBTQ Initiatives

Trump Loses in Federal Court as Deportation of Boy under Public Health Laws Halted

June 24, 2020

Federal Court Again Blocks Removal of Honduran Youth in First Challenge to Trump Administration’s Illegal Border Expulsion Order – Judge Says Trump Order Likely Unlawful A federal court has once again provisionally blocked the deportation of a Honduran boy in the first legal challenge to the Trump administration’s order restricting immigration at the border based on … More Trump Loses in Federal Court as Deportation of Boy under Public Health Laws Halted

UNSETTLED: Seeking Refuge in America – Broadcast Premiere

June 23, 2020

UNSETTLED follows LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers from Africa and the Middle East as they flee persecution to seek safety in the U.S. A documentary film by Tom Shepard Airs on WORLD Channel via local PBS stations – June 28 (and on WorldChannel.org from (June 28-July 12) and radio/ live streaming interview with Tom Shepard, Melanie … More UNSETTLED: Seeking Refuge in America – Broadcast Premiere

More than 80,000 LGBT Dreamers

June 23, 2020

81,000 ‘Dreamers’ identify as LGBT and 39,000 have participated in DACA. As our country continues to push back against racial inequality and structural violence, this report highlights the importance of sound policy to preserve the health and safety of marginalized populations. Created in 2012, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program allows undocumented immigrants … More More than 80,000 LGBT Dreamers

In Defeat of Trump Supreme Court Blocks Attempt to End DACA

June 18, 2020

Immigrant communities and the many Americans with heart are rejoicing today at this news which comes as a HUGE defeat for Trump and a triumph for immigrants: Today the Supreme Court protected DACA- our Dreamers are safe for now from the monstrous hell they have been through by this administration and its supporters, now in … More In Defeat of Trump Supreme Court Blocks Attempt to End DACA

Egyptian Lesbian Arrested for Raising Rainbow Flag Dies by Suicide

June 14, 2020

In 2017 it was widely reported that Egyptian police arrested 57 people after they were allegedly seen raising rainbow flags at a concert in Cairo. They were reportedly detained for “promoting sexual deviancy”. Among them was the only woman arrested, a lesbian activist, Sara El Hegazy, who after finding refuge in Canada, according to media and Twitter … More Egyptian Lesbian Arrested for Raising Rainbow Flag Dies by Suicide

VOTE for Welcome – Campaigning for Candidates who will stand up for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

June 12, 2020

Since Trump began his 2016 presidential campaign he jhas made a concerted effort to attack immigrants. For almost 4 years, we have lived through constant attacks – most especially on asylum seekers, refugees, Muslims and People of Color, hardest hit by Trump’s xenophobic racist overt trajectory toward hateful policies. The 2020 elections are approaching and … More VOTE for Welcome – Campaigning for Candidates who will stand up for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

George Floyd’s Murder Reflects on an America that is Unsafe for African Refugees and Asylum Seekers

May 31, 2020

African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC) Statement on how the Murder of George Floyd Denotes America Unsafe for Refugees and Asylum Seekers from African Countries at this time: African Human Rights Coalition expressed its condolences and outrage on social media the moment we saw the video evidencing the cold blooded murder of George Floyd, a black … More George Floyd’s Murder Reflects on an America that is Unsafe for African Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Please Take Action: U.S. Congress Must Help Refugees in COVID-19 Planning

May 20, 2020

You can Help by taking action together: Right now, Members of Congress are again discussing legislation to provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. We must make sure that refugees are included in receiving that support. Ask your senator to include refugees in COVID-19 relief legislation. The economic effects of this crisis are disproportionate, and refugees … More Please Take Action: U.S. Congress Must Help Refugees in COVID-19 Planning

IDAHOT 2020 LGBTI Refugees and UNHCR Breaking the Silence

May 16, 2020

IDAHOT – International Day Against Transphobia and Homophobia, IDAHOT: 2020 Theme BREAK THE SILENCE Today, May 17th is the day millions of people around the world commemorate IDAHOT, a special day, to raise awareness and commit further to impact the right to liberty, equality, justice and happiness for LGBTI people around the globe. However violence … More IDAHOT 2020 LGBTI Refugees and UNHCR Breaking the Silence

Trump Scapegoats Immigrants Attempting to Deflect from Failed Pandemic Response

April 21, 2020

Last night Donald Trump current President of The United States,  announced by tweet plans to issue an executive order temporarily suspending all immigration to the United States. Comments in  response: Decrying the Trump Threat to Suspend Immigration Karen Musalo, Director of the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS), shared the following comment: “Once again, … More Trump Scapegoats Immigrants Attempting to Deflect from Failed Pandemic Response

On the 40th Anniversary of the U.S. Refugee Act

March 17, 2020

Message from African Human Rights Coalition on this Historic anniversary: “Today is the 40th anniversary of the Refugee Act, the landmark legislation signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on March 17, 1980, that established the contemporary U.S. refugee resettlement program and asylum system. This legislation reflects the values of the American people. That we are bound … More On the 40th Anniversary of the U.S. Refugee Act

Ninth Circuit Halts Trump Administration’s Forced Return to Mexico Policy

February 28, 2020

San Francisco, CA (February 28, 2020) – Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the Trump Administration’s dangerous Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), the policy which forcibly returns asylum seekers to Mexico to await their immigration court dates in perilous conditions. The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and … More Ninth Circuit Halts Trump Administration’s Forced Return to Mexico Policy

The Pain of Trump’s Expanded Muslim & Africa Ban

February 10, 2020

On January 31st, the Trump administration announced their decision to extend the already-devastating Muslim Ban to Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania. In addition to ongoing litigation against the Muslim Ban, this Wednesday, February 12, the House Judiciary Committee plans to mark-up the No Ban Act (HR 2214), introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) … More The Pain of Trump’s Expanded Muslim & Africa Ban

FORTUNE Most Powerful Women Summit 2019 Platforms in Disgrace

October 22, 2019

If you are a ‘Most Powerful Women’ then show us who you truly are! Follow the example of the award-winning filmmaker dream hampton!  Upon hearing that Kirstjen Nielsen, Trump’s former Department of Homeland Security secretary who oversaw the caging of children and separation of families, is being given a platform at this month’s Most Powerful Women … More FORTUNE Most Powerful Women Summit 2019 Platforms in Disgrace

LGBTQI Asylum Seekers Need Exemption Under New Trump Asylum Policy

September 16, 2019

Melanie Nathan, African HRC: “Now that the U.S. Supreme Court is allowing the new Trump policy to stand while the question of its legitimacy continues through the Courts,  LGBTQI Asylum Seekers must be given a policy exemption under the Trump asylum policy, providing certainty, rather than relying on mere discretion given to USCIS and border agents.” … More LGBTQI Asylum Seekers Need Exemption Under New Trump Asylum Policy

CFI Hosts Educational and Community Screening in Marin of Award Winning Documentary UNSETTLED

September 4, 2019

Dear Friends, African Human Rights Coalition (African HRC) is proud to announce its partnership with California Film Institute (CFI) for the upcoming free community impact and educational screening of the award-winning feature documentary Unsettled: Seeking Refuge in America, in Marin County, California. You are invited to the screening! Bay Area filmmaker Tom Shepard’s powerful new documentary tells the untold stories … More CFI Hosts Educational and Community Screening in Marin of Award Winning Documentary UNSETTLED

TPS Lawsuit: March to Protest Trump Attempt to Deport 400,000 Long-Term Residents

August 13, 2019

Immigrants & Allies March – March to Precede Hearing on Appeal of Ninth District Court Decision that Temporarily Blocked Cancellation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS)  On August 14, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear a Trump administration challenge to a preliminary injunction – issued by a federal court last year — that prevented … More TPS Lawsuit: March to Protest Trump Attempt to Deport 400,000 Long-Term Residents

Denouncing Trump’s New Rule Shutting Down Access to Asylum

July 15, 2019

The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) denounces the new interim final rule announced by the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security today, which will deny asylum to those seeking protection at our southern border if they do not first apply for asylum from a third country while en route to the United States. This new … More Denouncing Trump’s New Rule Shutting Down Access to Asylum