Protecting Refugees: an anniversary, a new bill, and some recommendations

Yesterday a bill was introduced in the Senate that would strengthen America’s commitment to providing safe haven to refugees fleeing persecution. It would repair many of the most severe problems in the U.S. refugee and asylum systems. Take action now – urging your senators to cosponsor the bill.

The introduction of the bill – the Refugee Protection Act of 2010 – comes at an opportune time, s we’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Refugee Act of 1980, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that set the framework for the U.S. refugee and asylum systems.

Today Human Rights First is hosting a symposium marking the 30th anniversary of the Refugee Act of 1980 – in Washington D.C. today. Watch it live – and follow our commentary on Twitter.

Human Rights First also unveiled a series of key policy reform recommendations for the Obama Administration and Congress to renew U.S. commitment to protecting refugees.

These recommendations aim to prevent the unnecessary and prolonged detention of asylum seekers, end the practice of barring refugees with a well-founded fear of persecution on the basis of an arbitrary asylum filing deadline, and ensure the protection of refugees at risk of imminent harm by creating a fast-track resettlement process.