Williams Institute: 2.6% of Immigrant Families in Removal Process Have Legal Counsel

Jayapal, Barragán Inquiry Reveals 2.6% of Immigrant Families in Removal Process Have Legal Counsel January 13, 2024 AHRC, Posted by Melanie Nathan WASHINGTON – A response to efforts from U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, to get information regarding … More Williams Institute: 2.6% of Immigrant Families in Removal Process Have Legal Counsel

Ugandan Education Minister Janet Museveni Anti Gay Tirade Leads to Violence and Flight

The violence provoking rhetoric and scape-goat myth and lies asserted without any substantive basis or evidence, by these government officials, lead to violence and the forcible displacement of LGBTQI+ people from Uganda: By Melanie Nathan, February 13, 2023 In the United States I provide country conditions expert witness reports on affidavit as well as related … More Ugandan Education Minister Janet Museveni Anti Gay Tirade Leads to Violence and Flight

Why the U.S. Senate Must Also Pass the Respect for Marriage ACT

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Respect for Marriage Act by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 267-157, with 47 Republican Votes. The bill repeals the aged and repulsive Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), previously dealt with under case law by the Supreme Court of the United States, but under threat since the reversal … More Why the U.S. Senate Must Also Pass the Respect for Marriage ACT

UNHCR and USA – Good News for Advancing Needs of LGBTQI+ and other Refugee

From African Human Rights Coalition web-news: Much work occurred this past year by and on behalf of LGBTQI people in forced displacement, including the UNHCR Global Roundtable, with 13 thematic workshops resulting in 39 crucial recommendations. As well as UNHCR’s monthly consultations and Panel As well as World Pride Summit for Refugees, Asylum Seekers and … More UNHCR and USA – Good News for Advancing Needs of LGBTQI+ and other Refugee

Closing Speech at Malmö Key Points on LGBTQI+ Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Key points in Melanie Nathan’s Closing Keynote, held at World Pride, Copenhagen, 2021,Human Rights Conference and Refugee, Asylum and Immigration Summit, Malmö, Sweden The REFUGEE, ASYLUM & IMMIGRATION SUMMIT in Malmö included people with lived-experience, human rights defenders, and those who we hold responsible for the legislation, policies and services that ultimately impact and saves … More Closing Speech at Malmö Key Points on LGBTQI+ Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Immigrants’ Rights Advocates Head Back to Court Over Title 42 Expulsions

WASHINGTON — Groups that sued the Trump administration over Title 42 expulsions of asylum seekers are heading back to court after hitting an impasse in negotiations with the Biden administration to end the policy.   The American Civil Liberties Union, Texas Civil Rights Project, RAICES, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, Oxfam, ACLU of Texas, … More Immigrants’ Rights Advocates Head Back to Court Over Title 42 Expulsions

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

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

Trump’s Parting Gift to Asylum Seekers is abject Hate and Revenge

“I think it is even worse. I think he knows that this could be the most revengeful parting gift he is capable of delivering to the human rights world and Americans who care!”  Melanie Nathan San Francisco, CA (December 10, 2020) – Today the Trump administration announced the publication of sweeping regulations that will make it virtually impossible … More Trump’s Parting Gift to Asylum Seekers is abject Hate and Revenge

Court Blocks Trump’s Illegal Border Expulsions of Children

District Court Blocks Administration’s Illegal Border Expulsions Washington, D.C. (November 18, 2020) – A district court today issued an order blocking application of the Trump administration’s “Title 42” order to all unaccompanied children, nationwide, in a class-action lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, Texas Civil Rights Project, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, and … More Court Blocks Trump’s Illegal Border Expulsions of Children

Shocking Report as U.S. Immigration ICE Accused of Torturing African Asylum Seekers

Allegations against American Immigration, Customs and Enforcement officers as shocking Human Rights Abuses reported, reflect a TRUMP attack on black immigrants At African Human Rights Coalition we are particularly aware of the hardship suffered by LGBTQI individuals who seek asylum from the violence they experience in their home countries, where they have no recourse to … More Shocking Report as U.S. Immigration ICE Accused of Torturing African Asylum Seekers

Help Stop Trump from Gutting our Asylum Laws

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

Canadian Court Strikes Down Safe Third Country Agreement with United States

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

Remove Racist Relics – A Letter Asking Marin County Sheriff Robert Doyle to Resign

SHERIFF DOYLE PETITION TO RESIGN IS HERE. PRESS RELEASE: Dated: June 17, 2020. Contact: Melanie Nathan, Executive Director African Human Rights Coalition nathan@AfricanHRC.org The African Human Rights Coalition, based in Marin County, is calling for the resignation of Sheriff Robert Doyle. In light of this week’s California Sanctuary State decision by the Supreme Court of the United … More Remove Racist Relics – A Letter Asking Marin County Sheriff Robert Doyle to Resign

Marin’s Sheriff Doyle Should Resign as SCOTUS Rules Against Trump Challenge of California Sanctuary Law

Today the Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s challenge to California’s sanctuary law, which restricts state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration agents. Over the dissents of Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, the court denied review of a lower-court ruling that concluded the 2018 state law does not interfere illegally with federal immigration … More Marin’s Sheriff Doyle Should Resign as SCOTUS Rules Against Trump Challenge of California Sanctuary Law

Trump Scapegoats Immigrants Attempting to Deflect from Failed Pandemic Response

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

Pandemic Protection Needed for Many TPS Immigrants on Frontline

In a new article for the Miami Herald, reporter Jacqueline Charles covers the experiences of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders working on the frontlines of the unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic while also fighting to stay with their families here in the U.S. The Trump administration is continuing their attempt to terminate hundreds of thousands of TPS holders’ immigration status … More Pandemic Protection Needed for Many TPS Immigrants on Frontline

Asking for Investigation on Termination of TPS After Death of Deported Salvadoran Immigrants

50+ Groups Release Letter Asking HFAC to Investigate Report on Termination of TPS After Death of Deported Salvadoran Immigrants Washington, DC – Earlier today, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders and immigration experts gathered to call on the House of Representatives to investigate the Trump administration’s termination of TPS in coordination with his 2020 re-election campaign. … More Asking for Investigation on Termination of TPS After Death of Deported Salvadoran Immigrants

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

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

Planned Raids – Helping Immigrant Communities – What You Can Do

After postponing last month’s planned immigration sweep, the Trump Administration is now preparing to launch a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across major U.S. cities including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco. These raids, which are scheduled to commence on Sunday, will harm … More Planned Raids – Helping Immigrant Communities – What You Can Do

Three Must See LGBTQI Films at Frameline

I am so excited to announce African Human Rights Coalition as Co-presenter at Frameline! Hope to see you at the famed Castro Theater! UNSETTLED, DIR Tom Shepard 2019 USA, Produced with Jen Giloman, 88 min,In English: Sunday, June 23 at the Castro theatre at 1PM  In this powerful documentary, acclaimed director Tom Shepard (Scout’s Honor, Frameline25) follows four LGBTQ+ refugees … More Three Must See LGBTQI Films at Frameline

Trump White House Targets Asylum Seekers with Cruel Memorandum

This week the White House issued a presidential memorandum calling on the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to issue regulations that would impose onerous financial burdens on asylum seekers, undermine credible fear proceedings, and force judges to rush cases through the immigration court system, at the expense of due process. If enacted, … More Trump White House Targets Asylum Seekers with Cruel Memorandum

NQAPIA Call to Critical Action on behalf of Reuniting Families

DO IT! This could be the single most meaningful call to Action of this political era – Its families, its children, its LGBTQI!!! Hi friends please visit the NQAPIA website– to see the fabulous work they are doing and take heed of this new action. See the link below.  This is an important action request … More NQAPIA Call to Critical Action on behalf of Reuniting Families

Groups File Lawsuit Against Trump Policy Forcibly Returning Asylum Seekers to Mexico

San Francisco, CA (February 14, 2019) –- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) filed a federal lawsuit today challenging the Trump administration’s new policy forcing asylum seekers to return to Mexico and remain there while their cases are considered. “The Trump administration is forcibly returning asylum … More Groups File Lawsuit Against Trump Policy Forcibly Returning Asylum Seekers to Mexico

Passionate Residents call on Marin BOS for County Sanctuary at TRUTH Forum

The Truth Act, signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in September 2016, requires local governing bodies in which local law enforcement has provided ICE access to an individual to hold a community forum to receive and consider public comment. Last night the Marin County Board of Supervisors held such a forum at the Civic … More Passionate Residents call on Marin BOS for County Sanctuary at TRUTH Forum

Shocking Autopsy Report Confirms Abuse of Transgender Asylum Seeker while in ICE Detention

In May ICE said six transgender people had died in detention!  When government leadership at the highest level denigrates and attempts to rob a minority of its rights, especially  where such government seems intent on erasure, the entire milieu will become a setup for abuse and violence at every level. After seven months the suspicious … More Shocking Autopsy Report Confirms Abuse of Transgender Asylum Seeker while in ICE Detention

Local Marin Leaders Mobilizing Against Cruel Immigration Changes

Homeland Security proposal would penalize those receiving public benefits Marin County, CA – Local community leaders are mobilizing in response to a new proposal from the Trump Administration that would penalize certain immigrants seeking to change their legal status if they receive public benefits or are deemed likely to become a “public charge” in the … More Local Marin Leaders Mobilizing Against Cruel Immigration Changes

Senate Hearing Walk Out in Protest of Trump Admin’s Failure to Reunite Families

At Senate Hearing, Kids, Parents, and Faith Leaders Walk Out in Protest of Trump Administration’s Failure to Reunite Families Families and Women Call on Congress to Hold Accountable ICE and CBP for Reports of Abuse and Lagging Efforts to Reunite Families As the Senate Judiciary Committee held an oversight hearing on the Department of Homeland … More Senate Hearing Walk Out in Protest of Trump Admin’s Failure to Reunite Families

Remedies Sought as United States Deported 463 Parents, Leaving Behind Traumatized Children

They Can — and Must — Bring the Parents Back Using Well-Established Parole Authority It is now clear that the Trump administration deported 463 parents without the children they arrived with. With the administration under court order to reunite all families separated by the government, it is now imperative that these families be found and … More Remedies Sought as United States Deported 463 Parents, Leaving Behind Traumatized Children

Republican Appointed Federal Judge Blocks Trump Attack on California Sanctuary State Laws

Bush appointed Sacramento Judge Checks DOJ’s Bid to Enjoin California’s Immigration Laws – Cross Blogged from The Recorder – See Below. “If there is going to be a long-term solution to the problems our country faces with respect to immigration policy, it can only come from our legislative and executive branches,” U.S. District Judge John … More Republican Appointed Federal Judge Blocks Trump Attack on California Sanctuary State Laws

Denouncing New Executive Order Expanding the Indefinite Detention of Families

San Francisco, CA (June 21, 2018) – The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) denounces the new Executive Order on the separation of immigrant families issued by the White House yesterday. The Order purports to put an end to family separations at the border, and its issuance is a testament to the overwhelming public outcry that arose … More Denouncing New Executive Order Expanding the Indefinite Detention of Families