Human Rights First

Protecting refugeeshuman Rights First's refugee representation team promotes Human Rights by assisting refugees who are fleeing persecution. We provide legal representation, frequently with pro bono lawyers, to help our clients access legal protections in the united states consistent with u.s. and international law. We also assist our clients in accessing other critical services. We use this experience to advocate for laws and policies that protect refugees.in 2022, volunteer lawyers in the new york, Washington, d.c., and los angeles metropolitan areas provided more than 125,000 hours of in-kind legal services. During that period, we represented more than 2,902 people from 90 countries and won legal protection for 158 clients and family members. We also conducted 22 pro bono attorney trainings, equipping over 2,000 attorneys to represent asylum clients.among the key 2022 policy achievements resulting from our advocacy to protect refugees were the following: our research, reporting and analysis of the title 42 policy (which uses "public health" as a pretext to evade refugee law and turn away refugees without allowing them to seek asylum) was widely cited by the media and in key court decisions, including a decision of the court of appeals for the dc circuit directing that the policy be vacated. Our december 2022 report "title 42: Human Rights stain, public health farce" tracked over 13,000 reports of torture, kidnapping, and other brutal attacks against the victims of the title 42 policy since january 2021. Our written analysis, comments, media work and related advocacy helped lead to improvements in the biden administration's new asylum rule process, including restored access to immigration court hearings. We successfully advocated, along with our partners, against several attempts to codify the title 42 policy into statute. We successfully advocated for the introduction of the refugee protection act of 2022. We worked with partners to build support for the bicameral, bipartisan introduction of the afghan adjustment act.donated legal and related expenses: $97,864,095

Innovation labthe Human Rights First's innovation lab harnesses ai and data-driven technology to defend Human Rights and democracy. It builds and releases technology tools, applies its tech and insights to drive direct impact, and educates and trains the broader field on use of new technologies to protect Rights. Key 2022 achievements include: developed a tool to help researchers, lawyers, and advocates uncover systemic disparities in asylum case decisions. Piloted a tool incubated by the lab that uncovers and analyzes hate networks on youtube. Designed the user interface and deployed a functional mvp, our machine-powered tool, glimpse, that automatically detects violent objects and actions in video to assist Human Rights investigations. Developed and launched an ocr-powered tool that makes image-based text documents searchable.

Accountabiltyhuman Rights First works to hold corrupt actors and Human Rights abusers around the world accountable for their actions. Key 2022 achievements resulting from our work include: secured the permanent reauthorization of the global magnitsky act, the legislative foundation of the primary u.s. Targeted sanctions program for Human Rights abuse and corruption. Produced the first-ever joint report with civil society counterparts in the u.k., european union, and canada on the implementation of each jurisdiction's magnitsky sanctions program. Conducted joint advocacy for faster progress toward "multi-lateralizing" these sanctions and addressing omissions, such as abuses against marginalized populations. Successfully advocated for the first-ever use of global magnitsky sanctions to address Human trafficking abuses. Produced a report on the omission of abuses and corruption by certain u.s. security partners from the global magnitsky program. Participated in a new international expert panel on state impunity and the northern ireland conflict. Published dozens of posts on the work of Human Rights defenders in ukraine since russia's full-scale february 2022 invasion.donated legal and related expenses: $63,963

General advocacy / vfai / extremism / communications & outreach