DC Events: Fun and informative with a high probabilty for free food

The following blog represents my personal opinions and not those of Human Rights First.

Interning in Washington D.C. has provided a variety of advantages, and is one of the best experiences a student interested in government and policy could participate in.  One advantage that interning at Human Rights First has afforded me is the opportunity to attend interesting panel discussions and events.  I recently attended two Human Rights First sponsored events on immigration policy within the U.S.  

The first event dealt with the Terrorism Related Inadmissibility Grounds, or TRIG.  These terrorism related bars have denied thousands of persecuted refugees access to asylum and protection within the US.  Those affected most by these bars pose no threat to national security but, rather, are victims of overly-broad application, and definitions of legislation.  During this event, a panel discussed the history of TRIG and the work being done to alter the devastating implications of these policies and practices.  It was fascinating to hear first-hand accounts of lawyers working on these asylum cases, and the number of challenges their clients face.  It was also encouraging to witness how truly passionate these lawyers are about effecting change and how deeply they care for their clients.  While all the panelists were terrific, the most moving input came from the American wife of an asylum seeker named Julie Hysenaj.  Mrs. Hysenaj and her husband, Arben, have been separated for four years (he lives in Kosovo and would be arrested if he tried to reenter the US) as his case has been processed.  She shared through tears her emotional journey (she is working three jobs and has only seen her husband a handful of times) and the efforts she has put in to expedite her husband’s case; she calls multiple government agencies daily.  Mrs. Hysenaj provided a great deal of insight into the devastating consequences TRIG may have on families and provided an emotional element to the practical and legal arguments made by the other panelists.

The second event I attended dealt with the detention of asylum seekers and immigrants within the United States.  One of the speakers at this event was Gary Mead, who is the Executive Associate Director for Enforcement and Removal Operations for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  Since this event was put together by NGO’s and human rights organizations it was wonderful to have Mr. Mead in attendance and have both sides of the argument presented.  The discussion centered on how civil detainees were being housed and treated as penal, or criminal, detainees, and also touched on the increased market for immigrant detention in the private prison industry.   Throughout the event,  Mr.  Mead spoke on the changes ICE will be implementing to create a more acceptable system of detention.  While these changes are welcomed forms of progress, it is apparent that more still needs to be done to raise the standards of living for immigrant detainees to an acceptable level for a country such as the United States.

Both events were highly informative and dealt with important issues that many Americans are simply unaware exist.  I am very excited to spend what little time I have left in D.C. broadening my policy horizons through similar events and panels.