The Plight for Freedom Searching for “a new beginning”
Who is a refugee? A refugee is… a person who is unable or unwilling to return to his or her country of nationality because of a well- founded fear of persecution* on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or political opinion.
What is the difference between a refugee and an asylum-seeker? Generally speaking, - A refugee is… a person who applies for her/his protected status outside the United States. - An asylum-seeker is… a person who applies for her/his protected status inside the United States (still a refugee!).
Statistics (Based on 2014 Data) • 59.5M people forcibly displaced worldwide due to persecution, generalized violence, and human rights violations. – Estimated 13.9M newly displaced persons due to conflict or persecution • ~42,500 people per day! – Approximately 1.7M newly submitted applications for asylum • Germany: 173,100 • US: 121,000 (44% increase; 36,800+ from 2013) • Turkey: 87,800
Freedom House est. 1983
Client Demographics (Based on 2015 Data) • 144 total residents – 11 families with 21 children – 79 Men – 44 Women – 21 Children (11 girls and 10 boys) • 28 countries : Afghanistan, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, El Salvador, Eritrea, The Gambia, Guinea, Honduras, Kenya, Kuwait, Liberia, Mexico, Nigeria, Palestine, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United States, Yemen, Zimbabwe.
Clients by Region (# from region, % of total) 3, 2% 5, 4% 13, 9% 123, 85% Africa Asia Cental/South America U.S.
What’s the process like? (Freedom House specializes in the affirmative process.) • One-year to complete and submit approximate 10- page application for asylum, I-589.* • Contains (using “political opinion” as example) : – Personal testimony – Birth certificate – Membership ID; government sponsored newspaper article where political party is mentioned in negative light; letters of support from cabinet members… – Medical affidavits – Photos – Reports on country conditions (provided by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, etc.) *Burden of proof is placed upon the claimant!
What’s the process like? Receives receipt with “A#”(alien Submit completed application before one-year deadline number), then interview date. Master Calendar Interview with asylum officer Hearing Merits Hearing GRANTED Referred to court ( “Notice to Appear”; becomes defensive Denied GRANTED claim/process ) Appeal to Board of Immigration Appeals…
What are the obstacles? • Gathering evidence • Translation • Effects of trauma/torture • Employment? Benefits? • Processing time and waiting periods
Human Trafficking
Statistics • Globally: – 20.9M victims of human trafficking worldwide – $150B in profits globally, annually • Statewide (MI): – 152 cases reported in 2015 • 31% US citizens/Lawful Permanent Citizen • 17% foreign national • 52% other/undisclosed
Any Immigration Relief Available For a Victim of Trafficking? • If willing to assist with an investigation, can apply for “Continued Presence” with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is a one-year form of relief. – Allows victim to remain in US throughout investigation, or prosecution, and makes eligible for Employment Authorization Document (EAD). – Once granted, can then request “Certification or Eligibility Letter” through the Office of Refugee Resettlement within Health and Human Services which would grant access to mainstream public benefits.
Any Immigration Relief Available For a Victim of Trafficking? • Eligible for a T Nonimmigrant status (T visa) – Allows victims to remain in the US “to assist in the investigation or prosecution of human traffickers. Once a T nonimmigrant visa is granted, a victim can apply for permanent residence after three years.”
Sources • The Polaris Project • The National Human Trafficking Resource Center • UN High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) Global Trends Forced Displacement in 2014 Report, “World at War” • UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) • US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) • US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
More Information • ACCESS Psychosocial Center for the Rehabilitation of Torture Victims • Amnesty International • Detention Watch Network • International Rescue Committee • LGBT Freedom & Asylum Network • Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services • UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees) • U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants • U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement • The Polaris Project
Contact Information • Thomas “TJ” Rogers, Program Manager trogers@freedomhousedetroit.org (*preferred contact*) (313) 964-4320, ext. 18 • FreedomHouseDetroit.org • FreedomHouseDetroit • @FreedomHouseDet
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