The Statute of Liberty stands as a beacon to all those "yearning to breathe free." Yet today, the United States government routinely denies access to asylum to those who have previously been deported from the United States. This is the case even for those who suffered grievous harm and persecution subsequent to their deportation and fled back to the United States, seeking the safety of our shores once more.
In our visits to detention facilities throughout Virginia and Maryland, CAIR Coalition staff regularly meet with individuals who were previously deported from the United States only to face beatings, sexual violence, and other forms of unimaginable harms after returning to their country of origin. Often it is clear to us that the prior deportation was conducted in an expedited fashion that did not sufficiently grant the individual an opportunity to explain her fear to an Immigration Judge. These individuals are refugees in every sense of the word, yet we are forced to inform them that the Immigration Judge will not consider them eligible for asylum.
CAIR Coalition joins with more than 60 other civil rights and immigrant rights organization in urging Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and Attorney General Loretta Lynch to use the discretion and authority available to them to ensure that every man, woman and child who fears return to her country of origin be granted a fair hearing to request protection in the United States in the form of asylum.
Read the sign on letter here.
