US initiative offers asylum-seekers an alternative to detention
UNHCR’s top protection chief welcomes US focus on providing immigrants and asylum-seekers with an alternative to detention while their cases are processed.
BALTIMORE, United States, November 24 (UNHCR) The UN refugee agency's top protection official has described the United States' focus on providing immigrants and asylum-seekers with an alternative to detention while their cases are being processed as a "positive development."
Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Erika Feller was briefed Monday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in Baltimore, Maryland on the latest stage in the department's Intensive Supervision Appearance Programme, known by its acronym ISAP II.
The programme allows for a small percentage of the hundreds of thousands of individuals arrested and detained by immigration officers every year to avoid incarceration by agreeing to regular monitoring.
"It's welcome whenever programmes that offer an alternative to detention are part of the response of states to asylum arrivals," said Feller. "But we're still early in the process of determining what programme offers the best alternative."
The objectives of many alternatives to detention systems are enforcement objectives. UNHCR believes that humanitarian considerations should take on a higher profile.
Erika Feller
Many asylum-seekers in the United States are held in detention centres, alongside those facing immigration and criminal charges, while their cases are processed. The most recent figures from the Department of Homeland Security indicate that in fiscal year 2007 approximately 10,000 of the more than 300,000 individuals detained were asylum-seekers.
The ISAP II programme is designed to allow individuals who present a low flight risk to continue to live at home, while adhering to a supervision programme that involves regular meetings with staff assigned to their case.
In UNHCR's view, ISAP II is an improvement over the prior two ICE alternatives to detention programmes, both of which included much more restrictive supervision requirements and greater use of ankle bracelets outfitted with a global positioning device.
Jorge* has been a participant in one of the prior ICE supervision programmes for the past 18 months, and continues to wear an ankle bracelet. An asylum-seeker from El Salvador who fears he would be killed by a street gang if he returns home, he is expecting a final decision on his asylum application by April 2010.
He says that because of the ankle bracelet, people view him as a criminal. "I feel like nobody would pay one dollar for me," he told UNHCR staff at a meeting in Baltimore.
"Detention is detention" said Feller, "we can't get away from that fact". Alternative forms of supervision put in place as a means to manage irregular asylum arrivals, are preferable in UNHCR's view than closed detention centers. Even better would be forms of supervision that keep to a minimum the more intrusive monitoring devices which Feller noted can be psychologically disturbing, particularly for people who have already undergone traumatic experiences.
In her meetings with ICE officials, Feller was appraised of ICE plans to further develop its alternatives to detention programmes, some of which may involve greater emphasis on community involvement and assistance in accessing legal and social services.
"People who have fled refugee situations are very fragile," said Feller. "The objectives of many alternatives to detention systems are enforcement objectives. UNHCR believes that humanitarian considerations should take on a higher profile."
UNHCR intends to continue to focus on the issue and will be launching a global initiative on alternatives to detention in 2010.
* Name changed to protect identity
By Tim Irwin in Baltimore, United States
Related news and stories
Q&A with Mary Maker, UNHCR's newest Global Goodwill Ambassador
Joint press release: International community shows solidarity with efforts to enhance protection and find solutions for people forced to flee and host communities in Central America and Mexico
New York market serves up food that showcases the city's rich cultural heritage
LA Lakers' Wenyen Gabriel visits homeland of South Sudan with UNHCR, to 'speak up for refugees and displaced people everywhere'
IOM, UNHCR Call for Vigorous Investigation After Dozens Die in Abandoned Trailer in Texas
WHAT IS ASYLUM?
Your search for « baltimore » matched 88 results. Displaying page 6 of 10 pages.
-
UNHCR Protection Training Manual for European Border and Entry Officials - 4. Identifying Protection Needs in Group Arrivals. Annex 15 - Policy Dysfunction in Humanitarian Organizations
2011 ... ... Report prepared by Mark Malloch- Brown for UNHCR, September 1991. KAUFMAN, H. (1960) The Forest Ranger. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. KEEN, D. (1992) Refugees: Rationing the Right to ...... -
5. Ethics and Communication at Border Points. Annex 11 - DCAF Borders and security governance
2011 ... ... Global Human Smuggling. Comparative Perspectives. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press. ... In Global Human Smuggling: Comparative Perspectives, eds., D. Kyle and R. Koslowski. Baltimore: ...... -
Philippines: Typhoon Haiyan Action Plan - November 2013
12 Nov 2013 ... ... Clusters / Sectors Emergency Shelter Objective Presence, staff Name Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Headquarters Baltimore (USA) Website www.crs.org HQ Contact Jennifer Holst, Public Donor Liaison, ...... -
70th session of the Executive Committee - List of participants as of 10 October
10 Oct 2019 ... ... Mark HETFIELD President and CEO Hebrew Immigration Aid Society Silver Spring, Maryland Ms. Krish O’Mara VIGNARAJAH President and CEO Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service Baltimore, Maryland ...... -
Life history and personal narrative: theoretical and methodological issues relevant to research and evaluation in refugee contexts, Julia Powles
15 Sep 2004 ... ... How can we learn more?” in, Forced Migration Review:18. 22 Dwyer, K. 1982. Moroccan Dialogues: Anthropology in Question (Baltimore and London: The John Hopkins University Press). Eastmond, M. 1996. ...... -
'Because we are refugees': utilizing a legal label, Katharina Inhetveen
1 Oct 2006 ... ... In: Journal of Legal Pluralism 19 (1981), pp. 117-159. Berkovitch, Nitza 1999: From Motherhood to Citizenship. Women’s Rights and International Organisations. Baltimore, London: Johns Hopkins UP. ...... -
Refugees Magazine Issue 143: After Andijan: Tensions Mount in Central Asia
1 Jul 2006 ... ... US appear relieved and grateful. “It’s impossible to live here,” said 35-year-old Rustam Zautadze before leaving for Baltimore. Sarvar Tedorov agrees fully: “We simply have no other way out. ...... -
Report on the Annual Consultations with NGOs 2006
1 Oct 2006 ... ... TKALEC Technical Advisor Protection, Kenya Baltimore, United States of America ... Ms Daisy FRANCIS Protection Policy Advisor Baltimore, United States of America [email protected] ...... -
Report on the Annual Consultations with NGOs 2012
Aug 2012 ... ... Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees Mr Ben MENDOZA Baltimore, United States of America ... Catholic Relief Services / US Conference of Catholic Bishops Mr William CANNY Baltimore, United ......