Detention and Asylum

Every year, thousands of asylum seekers are detained by the U.S. government, sometimes until their asylum cases are decided—which can amount to days, weeks, months or even years. Many of those detained are women and children.

The Women’s Refugee Commission’s Detention and Asylum Program works to ensure that these asylum seekers are not held longer than necessary, that they are treated fairly and that their basic rights are respected. The program includes a variety of projects geared toward ensuring that U.S. laws and policies protect women, unaccompanied children and families. 

Detention and Asylum Resources

Press Releases on Family Detention

• Good News on Immigration Detention But Keeping the Pressure On (August 7, 2009)
• Women’s Refugee Commission Applauds Legislation to Protect Children from Adverse Consequences of Immigration Enforcement (July 31, 2009)
• U.S. Immigration Policy Harms Women, Families (June 24, 2009)
• U.S. Faces Challenges in the Protection of Unaccompanied Children (February 3, 2009)

Read more in our press room

Selected Media Coverage on Family Detention

• New documentary focuses on detention of immigrant families (Austin American-Statesman, March 16, 2009)
• Immigrant Families Face Stress of Detention (NPR News, Tell Me More, April 10, 2008)
• The Lost Children (The New Yorker, March 3, 2008)

Read more in our press room