Human Rights First | Chasing Freedom Campaign

Watch the Court TV Original Movie Inspired by HRF

What is Asylum: an Overview

Asylum-related Terminology

Asylum Pro Bono Program

"Material Support" and Refugees

Detention of Asylum Seekers in the U.S

Iraqi Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Lifeline for Iraqi Refugees

The Department of Homeland Security, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers

Women and Asylum Seekers in the U.S.

Haitian Refugees and the U.S. Asylum System

Amicus Briefs and Special Projects

Chasing Freedom: the Court TV Original Movie Inspired by HRF

Asylum and the 2006 Immigration Reform Debate

Human Rights First releases detailed Asylum Blueprint with analysis and recommendations for the Obama administration

Read Human Rights First's chart comparing USCIRF's recommendations to steps taken by DHS to implement those recommendations

Homeland Security to Create Senior Refugee Position

49 Organizations Urge Secretary Chertoff to Implement Change in Light of REAL ID Act (5/23/05) (PDF-334KB)

Human Rights First Condemns Passage of Real ID Act Punishing Victims of Persecution 05/11/05

More than 50 Organizations Urge Secretary Chertoff to Implement Report Recommendations (4/22/05) (PDF-37KB)

Indictment of Tibetan Woman No Excuse to Jail Aslyum Seekers

House Attaches REAL ID Act to Emergency Spending Bill (3/16/05)

Human Rights First Letter to New Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff (03/02/05) (PDF-139KB)

REAL ID Act Passes in House, Places Real Lives in Danger (02/11/05)

New Government Report Exposes Barriers Facing Refugees (02/08/05)

Refugees Face New Legislative Threat (01/27/05)

Ridge Resignation Offers Opportunity to Step Up Refugee Protection 11/ 30/04)

Post 9/11, Dramatic Increase in Detention for Asylum Seekers Says New Report (1/15/04)

Human Rights First Welcomes Partial Suspension of "Special Registration" Requirement Aimed at Arab and Muslim Visitors (12/2/03)

Erosion of Civil Liberties Reflects a "New Normal" in America - not Temporary Sacrifice - since 9/11 (9/18/03)

Human Rights First Mourns Death of Arthur C. Helton in U.N. Bombing (8/20/03)

Study Shows Negative Health Consequences of Detention (06/17/03)

Operation Liberty Shield Quietly Terminated (05/15/03)

Department of Homeland Security Targets Haitian Refugees (3/21/03)

Refugee Women Face New Risk from Justice Department (2/21/03)

USCIRF's January 2009 Letter to DHS

DHS's November 28, 2008 response to USCIRF's March 2005 report

Original USCIRF report, and USCIRF's February 2007 report card

Report: The Department of Homeland Security, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers (2003)

Report: Refugee Women Fleeing Persecution Face Unfair U.S. Laws (2002)

Report: Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution Treated Unfairly (2002)

Detention Survey: A Country by Country Review of Detention Procedures and Practices (9/18/02)

INS Expands Unfair Deportation and Detention Procedures (12/16/02)

Chasing Freedom

A Court TV Original Movie

"Chasing Freedom, tells the story of a
young Afghan woman (played by Layla Alizada) who is persecuted by the Taliban
for running a school for young girls and the pro bono attorney (played by Juliette Lewis) who reluctantly takes on her asylum case
after the woman is detained when she
arrives at a U.S. airport in search of refuge.

The film was inspired by a real asylum case handled by a team of dedicated pro bono attorneys for the Human Rights First at Debevoise and Plimpton. It is a sobering depiction of the nearly insurmountable obstacles that asylum seekers face when they arrive in the U.S.

For information on the Chasing Freedom Campaign, a national effort aimed at raising public awareness about asylum and detention, please contact projects@activevoice.net or visit the Active Voice website at http://www.activevoice.net/Chasing_Freedom.shtml. Check the Court TV website for screening dates and updates about the movie at http://www.courttv.com/movie/.

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