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U.S. Must End Harsh Treatment of Vulnerable Immigrants: Meek Amendment to House Homeland Security Bi

New York, NY

The United States’ treatment in detention of vulnerable immigrants such as asylum seekers and refugees is often unnecessarily harsh. The Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children applauds Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL) for offering an amendment to a House of Representatives homeland security bill that would soften the harsh detention conditions endured by the most vulnerable populations who come to our country.

“The United States has a one-size-fits-all approach to detention which ignores the unique vulnerabilities of populations such as asylum seekers, torture survivors and families,” says Joanne Kelsey, director, detention and asylum. “Congressman Meek’s amendment offered an approach to ensure that these groups—who are not criminals—do not suffer further while they are being detained. By offering this amendment, Congressman Meeks has started an important dialogue.”

Although the measure did not pass, Congressman Meek’s amendment to the House’s Border Security and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2005 (H.R. 4312) would have provided simple protections that most Americans assume detainees already enjoy. For example, the amendment called for families to be detained together and not separated, as current policy dictates. The amendment also included language mandating access to medical care for these vulnerable detainees, many of whom have experienced rape, torture and other human rights abuses.

It would also have directed the Department of Homeland Security to create enforceable regulations on the treatment of immigrants, asylum-seekers, refugees and other vulnerable groups that promote a balance between law enforcement and humanitarian considerations.

“The United States must end its punitive detention practices,” Kelsey says. “It’s our responsibility to those who come to our country to seek haven and escape abuse not to add to their suffering. Creative solutions like Congressmen Meek’s deserve our full support in the future.”