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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Oct 16, 2024

125 Human Rights Organizations Demand Biden Administration Stop Detaining Refugees at Guantánamo Bay 

Today, 125 human rights organizations sent President Biden an open letter demanding the U.S. government stop indefinitely detaining refugees at Guantánamo Bay, abandon plans to expand the detention of Haitians fleeing violence, and allow asylum seekers who travel by boat to seek protection in the United States. Signatories include immigrant and refugee advocates, human rights experts, and Cuban and Haitian community organizations. The letter was organized by the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) and Haitian Bridge Alliance.

Press Release

Oct 1, 2024

“Cruel, Illegal, and Fundamentally Misguided”: IRAP Strongly Opposes Biden Asylum Rule

Today, the Biden administration published a final rule that will make it nearly impossible to lift draconian restrictions meant to deny people the opportunity to meaningfully seek safety at the U.S-Mexico border.

Press Release

Sep 26, 2024

IRAP and ACLU Sue U.S. Government For Information Regarding Secretive Practice of Refugee Detention at Guantánamo Bay

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) filed a federal lawsuit today under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), seeking to compel the disclosure of records about the interdiction and detention of refugees held at the Guantánamo Bay Migrant Operations Center in Cuba.

Press Release

Sep 19, 2024

New Report Exposes Cruelty of Secretive U.S. Detention of Refugee Families at Guantánamo Bay

Today, the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) released a new report detailing the U.S. government’s practice of interdicting refugee families at sea and detaining them indefinitely in inhumane and unlawful conditions at the Guantánamo Bay naval base in Cuba.

Press Release

Jun 11, 2024

IRAP Announces New Disability Inclusion and Accessibility Program Led by Elham Youssefian

Today, the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) announced the creation of its new Disability Inclusion and Accessibility program. The program will be led by Elham Youssefian, formerly of the International Disability Alliance – a global network of organizations of persons with disabilities. As the program’s director, Youssefian will promote equal access to safety and protection, and meaningful participation for refugees and other displaced persons with disabilities.

Press Release

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

May 23, 2024

IRAP Urges a “No” Vote on Deeply Harmful Senate Border Legislation

At a time when politicians like former president Trump are threatening mass deportations and other authoritarian crackdowns on immigration, it is imperative for policymakers to provide meaningful alternatives to this hateful rhetoric rather than adopt it as their own. Americans want legal pathways and sustainable, humane solutions to the border – not more cruelty. While the bill is likely to fail, today’s vote will become the perilous starting point for future legislative debates.

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
A photo of a children's mural project with handprints in different color paint across an outline of Mexico.

Aug 10, 2023

Broken Promises: Assessing the Humanitarian Impact of the Biden Administration’s Asylum Ban

Isabel López, IRAP's 2023 Policy and Communications Intern, highlights the impact of President Biden's cruel asylum ban on people seeking safety at the U.S.-Mexico border — from problematic cell phone apps that restrict asylum access to deadly weapons being deployed across border regions.

Blog Post

Nov 15, 2021

Call to Action Following White House Report on Climate Change and Migration

On the last day of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), IRAP and 12 partner organizations sent a letter to the White House to demand concrete action to address climate displacement. The full letter, including our requests and recommendations, is available here.

Publication

Oct 14, 2021

IRAP Amicus Brief Challenges “Remain in Mexico” Policy in Mexican Supreme Court

IRAP has joined an amicus brief in the Mexican Supreme Court challenging the Mexican government's violation of international law, including core refugee protection principles, through the implementation of the U.S. Remain in Mexico (RMX) policy.

Publication
Four school-age girls in colorful headscarves and red dresses stand together against a colorful wall.

May 18, 2021

Busting Myths about Forced Migrants: Inhumane Immigration Policies

Each month, a different IRAP chapter dispels a common misconception related to refugee issues.

Blog Post