Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 02/2014

How to Repair the U.S. Asylum and Refugee Resettlement Systems

December 2012

Human Rights First

Abstract

The Obama Administration, as it embarks on its second term, should reaffirm U.S. leadership on the protection of refugees by repairing flaws in the U.S. asylum and resettlement systems. Many of these flaws have persisted for years, undermining U.S. leadership and leaving refugees in difficult and vulnerable situations. The White House should lead this effort and launch stronger mechanisms to safeguard protection throughout U.S. agencies. The administration should also look for opportunities to move some of these repairs forward in concert with broader immigration reform initiatives.