Regardless of immigration status, all individuals in the United States have guaranteed rights under the Constitution. The following guide is to inform survivors of human trafficking, asylum seekers, parolees, and other non-U.S. citizens of their legal rights in various situations with law enforcement and immigration officers. The Know Your Rights guide contains information on your rights when […]
Author: USCRI
Op-Ed – Eskinder Negash: It is Not Safe to Land a Plane in Haiti, and It is Not Safe to Deport Haitians.
By Eskinder Negash Three U.S. planes landing in Port-au-Prince came under gunfire by local gangs last month. In response to the incidents, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibited U.S. airlines from landing in Haiti. Flights are now able to land in the north of Haiti, while ban remains in effect for the main airport […]
Island of Peace No More: Forced Migration from Ecuador
Cover photo: Fundación Municipal Bienal de Cuenca Ecuador, wedged between decades-long civil wars in Colombia and Peru, was once known as an island of peace in the Andes. In 2020, it had a homicide rate of 6.7 per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest in the region. Today, drug trafficking and associated gang violence have […]
Human Rights Day: Advocating for Immigrants, Refugees And Their Right to Mental Health
By: Rosalind Ghafar Rogers, PhD, LMHC, Clinical Behavioral Health Subject Matter Expert with USCRI’s Refugee Health Services in Arlington, VA Human Rights Day, celebrated annually on December 10, marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. This day serves as a reminder of the […]
USCRI Cleveland: Reprise 2024
In October, USCRI Cleveland held its annual benefit concert, reprise, featuring international musical acts and food from Northeast Ohio’s refugee community. The event attracted over 300 guests and raised over $60,000 for the field office. Artists included Rahim AlHaj, an Iraqi oud musician and composer, and Emmanuel Jal, a South Sudanese rapper, singer, actor, activist, […]
The Double Minority Challenge Faced by Immigrants And Refugees with Disabilities
By Rosalind Ghafar Rogers, PhD, LMHC, Clinical Behavioral Health Subject Matter Expert with USCRI’s Refugee Health Services in Arlington, VA December 3 is International Day of People with Disabilities and in observance of this day, USCRI stands in solidarity with and supports the dignity, rights, and well-being of all people with disabilities, particularly those who […]
Decoding the Data Surrounding Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is a widespread public health issue that impacts regions, countries, communities, families, and individuals. While the public has become more aware of human trafficking over the past 25 years, the true magnitude of this crime remains unknown. Global estimates of individuals in human trafficking situations range from 27 to 50 million. The discrepancy […]
Webinar: Addressing the Needs of Unaccompanied & Separated Children in Displacement Settings
Unaccompanied and separated children are among the most vulnerable populations affected by conflict and humanitarian crises. They face heightened risks of violence, exploitation, and neglect, with significant barriers to accessing essential services and protection mechanisms. In East Africa and surrounding subregions, children have been forced to migrate as violence, unrest, and climate shocks worsen. To […]
International Day of Tolerance
Difference is of the essence of humanity. Difference is an accident of birth and it should therefore never be the source of hatred or conflict. The answer to difference is to respect it. Therein lies a most fundamental principle of peace: respect for diversity. – John Hume According to UNESCO’s Declaration of Principles on […]
When Home is Gone: Unaccompanied & Separated Children in East Africa
Imagine you are a child, living in armed conflict when suddenly explosions fill your community and destruction surrounds you—you flee—and as people scatter, screaming and running for safety, you lose sight of your parents in the chaos. Home is gone and so is your family. Imagine you are a child, and severe drought has gripped […]
