A bill passed by the House Judiciary Committee today would have a devastating impact on those who seek refuge in this country. The bill, called the “Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005” (HR 4437), is being moved quickly through the House and may be voted on next week.
“The United States has long stood as a beacon of hope for those fleeing persecution and repression. But this misguided bill puts asylum seekers at grave risk of being deported back into the hands of their persecutors,” said Eleanor Acer, director of Human Rights First’s refugee protection program.
The bill, introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), contains many extreme measures, including provisions that will increase the detention of asylum seekers and deprive many asylum seekers of federal court review. Under the bill, an asylum seeker could be denied release from immigration jail on parole even though he satisfies the release criteria, simply because there are available spaces in immigration detention.
The bill would also deprive many asylum seekers of access to the federal courts. Under the bill, asylum seekers and others will not be allowed to have their cases reviewed by federal courts unless they first make a “substantial showing” that their appeal is likely to be granted. If a federal court judge does not issue a formal certificate allowing the appeal within 60 days, the asylum seeker’s appeal is automatically deemed denied.
“The bill basically stacks the deck against refugees,” Acer stated, “It also undermines this country’s long tradition of providing refuge to those who flee oppression and we urge the House to reject this approach.”
The bill contains many other disturbing provisions, including provisions that seek to overturn the Supreme Court’s ruling limiting indefinite immigration detention.
Contact:
Kirsten Powers, (212) 845-5260
