"Seeking asylum is a human right protected under law, just as a woman’s right to vote is fundamental and inalienable under the 19th Amendment." Read this powerful reflection from our CEO Archi Pyati ⬇
When a survivor is forced to flee their home country in fear of abuse, torture, or death, the journey to the U.S. border is long and unpredictable. Asylum seekers may be forced to travel through multiple, unfamiliar countries and face grueling, life-threatening conditions. With the alarming increase of immigrant women and girls dying at the U.S. border as shared in this article by The 19th, it is clear to see that seeking asylum can be the difference between life and death. It is often a survivor’s last hope to rebuild their lives free from violence and exploitation. Unfortunately, extensive backlogs and limited access to essential resources from an overwhelmingly unwelcoming immigration system mean that safety is not guaranteed for those who need it most. Seeking asylum is a human right protected under law, just as a woman’s right to vote is fundamental and inalienable under the 19th Amendment. Current United States immigration policies aim to deter immigrants from exercising their legal right to seek asylum, yet violence against women, girls, and the LGBTQIA+ community continues to escalate. Globally, 1 in 3 women will be raped, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in their lifetime. Trans individuals are over four times more likely than cisgender people to be victims of violent crime, including rape and assault. The result of deterrence-based policies are dangerous, often deadly conditions, riddled with barriers that place immigrants, especially survivors of violence, at risk of experiencing further harm. Our work at the Tahirih Justice Center providing comprehensive social and legal services to immigrant survivors of violence remains critical. This is a humanitarian crisis, and the solution lies in secure, accessible, and welcoming pathways. Women, girls, and LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals deserve safety and have the right to migrate to countries that promise to provide the protection they need. It is imperative that our policies and decision-making uphold these values and ensure that survivors can seek asylum without fear of further harm. https://lnkd.in/em3RzC5r