Washington, D.C. — As Congress debates legislation to reform our broken immigration system, it is imperative that safeguards for vulnerable groups like LGBT immigrants are considered. Please join us as experts, stakeholders, and members of the LGBT community discuss the dangers that LGBT immigrants face in our current immigrant detention system, what has been done so far, and ways to improve the system going forward. A new report on the topic will also be released.
The Department of Homeland Security detains, on average, 34,000 people each day in immigration detention facilities. These facilities are treacherous environments for LGBT immigrants who are vulnerable to abuse and mistreatment due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Reports of abuse from attorneys and complaints against Immigration and Customs Enforcement revealed through Freedom of Information Act requests paint a picture of the dangers LGBT immigrants face in ICE custody. In response to these problems, ICE has taken numerous steps to address the particular needs and vulnerabilities of LGBT immigrants, but more reforms are needed.
WHO:
Personal Reflection:
Krypcia, transgender asylum seeker who was kept in solitary confinement
Featured speakers:
Olga Tomchin, Soros Fellow, Transgender Law Center
Royce Murray, Policy Director, National Immigrant Justice Center
Christina Fialho, Co-Founder/ Executive Director, Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement (CIVIC)
Moderator:
Sharita Gruberg, Policy Analyst, LGBT Immigration Project, Center for American Progress
WHEN:
Monday, November 25, 2013
12:00 p.m. ET – 1:30 p.m. ET
A light lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE:
Center for American Progress
1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20005
Map & Directions
RSVP:
RSVP to attend this event
Space is extremely limited. RSVP required.
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and not guaranteed.
For more information, contact Crystal Patterson at [email protected] or 202.478.6350.