Press Releases and Statements

Open Letter in Response to the Closing of the Berks County Family Shelter Care Center and Solicitation of New Family Detention Beds



Attention John Morton, Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement:

In November of 2011, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that the Berks County Family Shelter Care Center in Pennsylvania will be closing. The Obama Administration took positive steps in rolling back family detention in 2009 by releasing families from the T. Don Hutto Family Residential Facility in Taylor, Texas, and canceling a solicitation for three new family detention centers. The closure of the Berks facility is an excellent opportunity for the administration to continue to demonstrate its commitment to detention system reform by ending the practice of detaining families.

Women's Refugee Commission Welcomes US National Action Plan on Women, Peace & Security

The Women’s Refugee Commission applauds the release of the first ever U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security and the accompanying Executive Order signed by President Obama that directs government agencies to implement it.

“In producing a National Action Plan, the United States is making a vital public commitment to support the full engagement of women in peace building and conflict prevention processes,” said Sarah Costa, Executive Director of the Women’s Refugee Commission. “The pledge in the National Action Plan to provide women and children with safe and equitable access to humanitarian assistance is also an essential building block for peace and stability."

Keeping Families Together This Holiday Season

Call for Immediate Change in Immigration Enforcement Policies and Practices

The Women’s Refugee Commission stands in solidarity with the more than 5,000 children who have written letters to President Obama and Congress asking them to end immigration enforcement practices that separate children from their parents. Current policy makes it difficult—or impossible—for detained immigrant parents to make decisions about their children’s well-being, and many of these children are put into the overburdened foster care system.

Protecting Immigrant Detainees from Sexual Assault

 Protecting Immigrant Detainees from Sexual Assault

Applying PREA Standards to Immigration Detention

In the wake of PBS Frontline’s recent reporting on the prevalence of sexual assault in immigration detention facilities, the Women’s Refugee Commission will join the American Civil Liberties Union, Human Rights Watch, Just Detention International and the National Immigrant Justice Center for a Congressional briefing on the importance of applying the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) to all facilities in which immigrants are detained.

Three Strong Women Leaders Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

New York, NY—The Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) welcomes the news that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, peace activist Leymah Gbowee, also of Liberia, and pro-democracy campaigner Tawakul Karman of Yemen have been awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. Each of these women has been working tirelessly to bring peace and stability to her country. They are shining examples of women’s vital role in conflict resolution, peacekeeping and peace-building.

Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict urges U.S. administration to stop rewarding child soldier recruiters by waiving penalties

The Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict today urged the Obama administration to reverse its decision to waive the penalties for governments using child soldiers. The decision, announced October 4, undermines the U.S. Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008, which sanctions these governments by denying them access to U.S. foreign military financing, military training and other forms of military assistance.

The Violence Against Women Act: Building on Seventeen Years of Accomplishments

As members of the Senate Judiciary Committee consider the remarkable accomplishments of seventeen years of implementation of the Violence Against Women Act’s groundbreaking provisions for victims of abuse, crime and violence, the Committee must also consider the gaps that remain to be filled in order to protect one of the most vulnerable and frequently forgotten group of victims: immigrant women. Despite continued efforts to promote the rights of victims of abuse and violence in the United States, immigrant victims still face an impossible choice. If they come forward to report violence or abuse, they must conquer their fear of detention, deportation and separation from their children and loved ones. Or, if they choose not to come forward, they must face the painful silence of enduring assault, abuse and rape.

Women’s Refugee Commission Welcomes Reintroduction of Act to Protect Children of Immigrants

New Legislation Would HELP Keep Families Together

Washington, D.C.—The Women’s Refugee Commission applauds Senators Al Franken (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Representative Lynn C. Woolsey (D-CA) for reintroducing the Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections (HELP) for Separated Children Act (S. 1399/H.R. 2607). This legislation—originally introduced during the last Congress—would reduce the number of children who are needlessly separated from their parents as a result of immigration enforcement measures.

Women's Refugee Commission Welcomes New Handbook on Alternatives to Immigrant Detention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 18, 2011—The vast majority of immigrants who come to the United States seeking asylum have no violent criminal history, but many—including women, families and unaccompanied children—end up in detention facilities where their basic rights are denied. On any given day, more than 30,000 immigrants are held in detention in the U.S.

Rights Groups Demand Reforms from the U.S. Government Following Release of an International Report Criticizing U.S. Immigration Policies

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, human rights groups including the National Immigration Forum, the Rights Working Group, the Immigration Clinic at the University of Texas School of Law, and the Women’s Refugee Commission, together with the Transnational Legal Clinic of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, will present testimony about human rights violations in the U.S. government’s immigration enforcement and detention systems before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). Established by the United States and all countries in the Western hemisphere in 1959, the IACHR is authorized to examine allegations of human rights violations by countries including the U.S. The hearing will take place at 9:00am in the offices of the IACHR at 1889 F Street, NW, Washington, DC, and the U.S. government will send representatives to respond to allegations of abuse.

Women's Refugee Commission Concerned at Deep Cuts to Humanitarian Assistance

The Women’s Refugee Commission is deeply concerned that the fiscal year 2011 funding bill passed by the House of Representatives on February 19 contains cuts to humanitarian assistance programs that would severely compromise the safety and well-being of many women and children displaced by conflict and natural disasters.

Missouri Supreme Court Sends Case on Immigrant Parental Rights Back to Lower Court

New York City, January 28, 2011—On Tuesday, January 25, the Missouri Supreme Court sent the case of a Guatemalan woman whose parental rights were terminated following an immigration raid at her workplace back to the lower court for a retrial. Encarnación Bail Romero, whose son was adopted by an American couple against her wishes, has been separated from her child for nearly four years. While the Supreme Court reversed the termination of Ms. Bail Romero's parental rights and the adoption decision, the Court was unable to reunite Ms. Bail Romero with her son because procedural errors in the family court require the case to be tried again.

Michelle Brane Named One of Women's eNews' ’ “21 Leaders for the 21st Century"

Media Contact: Diana Quick
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MICHELLE BRANÉ NAMED ONE OF WOMEN’S E-NEWS’ “21 LEADERS FOR THE 21^st CENTURY”

Director of Women's Refugee Commission’s Detention and Asylum Program Recognized for Cutting-edge Advocacy

For Immediate Release

New York City, January 7, 2011—The Women's Refugee Commission announced today that Michelle Brané, director of its detention and asylum program, has been named as one of Women’s eNews’ “21 Leaders for the 21^st Century.” Brané is widely acknowledged within the immigrant rights and human rights community for her cutting-edge work on protecting women and children asylum seekers and immigrants.

Introduction of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2010

The Women’s Refugee Commission applauds Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) for introducing S. 3932, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2010.  Among its many strong provisions, this legislation would prevent the separation of children from their parents, improve conditions of care for individuals in immigration custody—including children held at the US/Mexico border—and reduce the unnecessary use of detention for asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants, including families.

Women's Refugee Commission Welcomes Clean Stoves Initiative

September 21, 2010

The Women's Refugee Commission welcomes the announcement today by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. The alliance, a public-private partnership led by the United Nations Foundation, aims to provide 100 million clean stoves to people in developing countries by 2020. It will work in cooperation with leading international nongovernmental organizations, foundations, academic institutions, corporate leaders, governments, UN agencies and local NGOs, women’s self-help groups and community members. The United States made an initial contribution of $50 million to the alliance, which hopes to raise $100 million.

Introduction of the Senate version of the “Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections for Separated Children Act”

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 22, 2010 -- The Women’s Refugee Commission welcomes the introduction of the Senate version of the “Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections for Separated Children Act” (HELP Separated Children Act), which will reduce the number of children who are separated from their parents as a result of immigration enforcement actions. This legislation, introduced by Senator Al Franken (D-MN) and co-sponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) Herb Kohl (D-WI), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), will provide much-needed safeguards to help keep children with their parents while their parents’ immigration cases are proceeding. The law will also protect the rights of families so that parents are able to make decisions that are in their children’s best interest.

Sarah Costa Named Executive Director of Women's Refugee Commission

Media Contact: Diana Quick
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SARAH COSTA NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF THE WOMEN’S REFUGEE COMMISSION

Current Executive Director Carolyn Makinson to Head
International Rescue Committee’s UK Office

For Immediate Release

New York City, June 9, 2010—The Women's Refugee Commission, a New York-based organization that advocates on behalf of refugee women, children and young people, today announced the appointment of Sarah Costa as its new executive director. Ms. Costa brings to the Women's Refugee Commission more than 25 years of experience in the fields of women's rights, reproductive health, gender and youth development, as well as global philanthropy. She will start at the Women's Refugee Commission in September. Ms. Costa will succeed Carolyn Makinson, who has led the organization since 2004.

New Ambassador: Actress Mamie Gummer

Media Contact: Elizabeth Beresford,
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ACTRESS MAMIE GUMMER NAMED
WOMEN’S REFUGEE COMMISSION AMBASSADOR

Co-star of new ABC series "Off the Map" to represent organization
that protects women and children refugees

For Immediate Release

New York City, May 18, 2010—Executive director Carolyn Makinson announced today that award-winning actress Mamie Gummer has agreed to serve as Ambassador for the Women’s Refugee Commission, an organization that works to improve the lives of women, children and adolescent refugees and asylum-seekers.

Thousands of Children Orphaned or Separated from Their Families in Haiti Earthquake Aftermath

Women’s Refugee Commission urges  these children be provided protection in Haiti while reunification efforts are made

• Read the press release
• Read recommendations for the U.S. government to protect children in Haiti developed by the Women's Refugee Commission and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
• The following organizations are among the organizations that are working with children in Haiti: International Rescue Committee, Save the Children and UNICEF

Women’s Refugee Commission Urges Support for Critical Legislation to Protect Immigrant Children and Families

Congress Should Act on H.R. 3531 and H.R. 1215

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 5, 2009 — The rapid increase in immigration enforcement in recent years has had an adverse impact on hundreds of thousands of children – both those who come to the United States alone and those who are separated from their parents because of immigration detention and deportation. In a briefing in the U.S. House of Representatives today, the Women’s Refugee Commission urged Members of Congress to act on H.R. 3531, “The Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections for Separated Children Act” (HELP) and H.R. 1215, “The Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act,” critical pieces of legislation that would protect children and families from the unintended, and long-lasting, effects of immigration enforcement. The briefing was held in cooperation with First Focus, Legal Momentum and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.

Obama administration's report on immigration detention

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano appointed Dr. Dora Schriro,* one of the country's foremost experts in correctional policies, to review the detention and deportation system. Dr. Schriro was tasked with providing recommendations and met with the Women's Refugee Commission's Detention and Asylum Program several times seeking out such advice.

Security Council Resolution 1888

Women, Peace and Security: United Nations Works to Protect Women and Girls

The United Nations Security Council has taken another step forward in global efforts to end violence perpetrated against women and children in conflict. The Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution September 30, 2009 urging member states to take effective steps to halt the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war. Resolution 1888, sponsored by the United States, which holds the presidency of the Security Council this month, calls for a Special Representative to the Secretary General, who is charged with driving and coordinating the UN’s efforts to address sexual violence in conflict, efforts which have been sorely lacking. The Security Council must now ensure this leader has a strong mandate to deal substantively with women, peace and security issues, thus ensuring the effectiveness of the position. This resolution builds upon two previous resolutions on Women, Peace and Security: 1325 and 1820.

In Memoriam: Dr. Beverlee Bruce

Beverlee joined the board of the Women's Refugee Commission in 1991 and was chair from 1995 to 1999. She participated in many organizational delegations to assess the needs of refugee and displaced women and children and led the Women's Commission delegation to the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China in 1995. Beverlee was a social anthropologist, development specialist and educator. She had served as the Program Director at the Social Science Research Council and earlier, as U.S. Peace Corps Director and as Chief Technical Advisor for the United Nations Self-Help Village Development Project in Liberia.

In Memoriam: Mary Anne Schwalbe

A memorial service for Mary Anne will be held Friday February 26 at 6:00 p.m., Madison Avenue Presbyterian at 73rd Street and Madison Avenue, New York City.

It is with deepest sadness that the Women's Refugee Commission announces the passing of its dear colleague Mary Anne Schwalbe, who died September 14th.

Mary Anne was the founding director of what was until this year called the Women's Commission, leading the organization from 1990 to 1994. She was an eloquent, devoted and tireless advocate for women, children and adolescents affected by war and persecution. She had visited refugees in settings around the globe, including in Afghanistan, Liberia, Sudan and Thailand, touching the lives of all she met.

Remembering Senator Edward Kennedy

The Women's Refugee Commission is saddened to learn of the death of Senator Edward Kennedy.

“Over the course of his career, Senator Kennedy was a steadfast champion for the rights of the world’s least fortunate, including refugees from Vietnam to Iraq and asylum-seekers making a new life in the U.S.,” said  Carolyn Makinson, executive director of the Women's Refugee Commission.

Half the Sky, a new book by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

The Women's Refugee Commission is one of the organizations recommended by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn in their new book, "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide," published in September 2009 by Alfred A. Knopf. We are also listed on the online New York Times Magazine on August 14, 2009 as an organization that supports women in the developing world.

Congratulations, Mary Robinson

The Women’s Refugee Commission congratulates Mary Robinson on receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony on August 12, 2009. As an organization dedicated to the protection of women and children displaced by conflict, the Women’s Refugee Commission deeply appreciates Mary’s unwavering support for the right of every person to live in freedom and dignity. She is a champion for the most vulnerable and an indefatigable advocate for women’s rights. We are proud to join Mary’s many friends and colleagues around the world in congratulating her on this much deserved honor.

Just-Unveiled Immigration Detention Policies Are Excellent First Step

Women’s Refugee Commission Still Concerned about Continued Detention of Families at Berks Facility

The Women’s Refugee Commission is thrilled to learn that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will stop detaining families at the T. Don Hutto Residential Center in Taylor, Texas as part of newly emerging plans for significant changes to U.S. immigration detention policy. This announcement, coupled with the administration’s ongoing review of the detention system and emerging understanding that the current criminal model of immigration detention is inappropriate for civil detainees, is an encouraging first step away from the punitive methods of immigration detention that underwent a significant expansion over the last five years.

Women’s Refugee Commission Applauds Legislation to Protect Children from Adverse Consequences of Immigration Enforcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. —The Women’s Refugee Commission welcomes the introduction of the “Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections for Separated Children Act” (HELP for Separated Children Act), which will reduce the number of children who are separated from their parents as a result of immigration enforcement actions. The bill, introduced by Representative Lynn C. Woolsey (D-CA), includes critical safeguards to help preserve the family unit and reduce the strain immigration enforcement is placing on our foster care system and U.S. citizen children.

U.S. Immigration Policy Harms Women, Families

Briefing to Congress Details Inadequate Medical Care in Detention, Separation from Family

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. government should reform immigration enforcement policies that inflict needless suffering on immigrant women and their families, a former immigration detention center nurse, a former detainee, and a group of leading human rights advocacy and research groups said today at a Capitol Hill briefing.