Mariko Hirose, IRAP Litigation Director, addresses journalists at an outdoor press conference. She is surrounded by several journalists with cameras, microphones and notepads. She has straight, shoulder length black hair and wears a white blouse and black blazer.

News & Resources

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Jun 4, 2024

IRAP on New Executive Actions: “Disgraceful Political Theater”

Today, the Biden administration announced executive actions to further eviscerate the ability to seek protection through lawful means at the U.S. border. The new border measures will close the border to all asylum seekers, with virtually no process or individualized review, based on deeply flawed metrics. They will go into effect immediately based on current border encounter numbers.

Press Release

Oct 23, 2023

IRAP Calls for End to Siege of Gaza and Affirms the Right of Palestinians to Live in Safety and Dignity

In light of the escalation of violence taking place in Gaza, Israel, and surrounding regions, the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) urges all parties to follow international law and protect the lives of civilians. As a refugee rights organization dedicated to ensuring everyone has a safe place to live and a safe way to get there, IRAP recognizes that decades of ongoing displacement have rendered the majority of Palestinians stateless and denied them the ability to live safely and freely. Given the urgency of the current crisis, we call for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the siege of Gaza, and the release of all hostages to prevent further loss of life and displacement.

Press Release

Sep 29, 2023

IRAP: President Biden Must do More to Build a Resilient and Robust Refugee Program 

Today, President Biden signed a new Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions (PD) maintaining the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 refugee admissions target of 125,000 refugees for FY 2024. After years of record low admissions, refugee resettlement in FY 2023 doubled to more than 51,000 as of August 31. However, that number remains far below the administration’s annual goal, and more must be done to reach it.

Press Release

Sep 26, 2023

2022 Text-to-Give Fellow Alexandra Zaretsky’s Year One Reflections: Challenging Anti-Muslim Immigration Policies and Reuniting Refugee Families

2022 Fellow Alexandra Zaretsky recently shared a recap of the first year of her Equal Justice Works Fellowship at the International Refugee Assistance Project. Alexandra’s work was funded by donations made during the Text-to-Give campaign at the 2022 Scales of Justice event.

Blog Post

Sep 13, 2023

The Continuing Impact of the Muslim Ban: Submission before the United Nations Human Rights Committee for its Review of the…

IRAP submitted a shadow report on the ongoing impact of the Muslim Ban that was joined by other organizations litigating the Muslim Ban. In our report we argue that international human rights law requires the United States to end all remnants of the Muslim Ban and ensure the swift reunification of families that remain separated as a result of the Muslim Ban.

Publication

Jul 20, 2023

IRAP Welcomes Sharif Aly in New Role as President

The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) is thrilled to announce that Sharif Aly has joined the organization in the new role of President of IRAP. As part of this expansion of IRAP’s Executive Leadership Team, Becca Heller, Co-Founder and Executive Director, will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Press Release

Jun 20, 2023

On World Refugee Day, Calls for Biden Administration to Accelerate Family Reunifications

On a press call held to commemorate World Refugee Day, Congressman Ted Lieu joined advocates, experts, and affected individuals to highlight the tens of thousands of separated refugee families waiting to reunite in safety and called on the Biden administration to make family reunification pathways more efficient, more equitable, and more transparent. 

Press Release

Apr 18, 2023

Fight to Access Trump Report on Muslim Ban Continues After New Court Ruling

Yesterday, a Connecticut federal judge ruled in a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) case that the U.S. government has not proved that a report on the Muslim ban issued by the Trump administration can be shielded from the public under the presidential communications privilege.

Press Release

Feb 10, 2023

FOIA: Muslim Ban documents

IRAP represented the Council on American-Islamic Relations – Connecticut and Make the Road New York in a Freedom of Information Act case that sought records about the Muslim Ban.

Case

Jun 2, 2022

IRAP Lawsuit Calls on U.S. Government to Reunite Sri Lankan Refugee Family

Today, the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) filed a lawsuit on behalf of a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee living in Texas who has been waiting to reunite with his wife and children in the United States via the “follow-to-join” (FTJ) program.

Press Release

Apr 7, 2022

“President Biden Removed the Muslim Ban but He Didn’t Fix the Harm”: IRAP Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Separated Somali…

Today, the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Mohamuds, a Somali refugee family waiting to reunite in the United States, and sent an open letter signed by more than 75 partner organizations calling on the Biden administration to do more to undo the legacy of the Muslim refugee ban.

Press Release

Apr 6, 2022

Mohamud v. DHS: Challenging the continuing impact of the Muslim refugee ban

IRAP filed a lawsuit in partnership with a Somali family who were on the verge of being reunited the day the former Trump Administration issued its Muslim refugee ban.

Case