Eliciting responses from the Human Rights community, the announcements are being praised as an important step, but many voice continued concern for more just reform. Human Rights First's Eleanor Acer comments, "[The parole guidelines are] a strong first step in addressing the flawed U.S. policies that have led to the extended detention of asylum seekers in the United States... [However], additional reforms are necessary to ensure that asylum seekers are not jailed for extended periods of time... The lack of prompt court review of their detention is inconsistent with this country's commitments under human rights conventions."
See below links to the new parole guidelines documents, news on the announcement, a statement from Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, and the press release issued by Human Rights First in regards to the guidelines.
ICE Parole Documents (PDFs)
ICE's fact sheet: Revised Parole Policy for Arriving Aliens with Credible Fear Claims (Dec 16, 2009)
AP: Feds Revising Asylum Detention Policies (NYT, Dec 16, 2009)
Obama Quietly Changes U.S. Immigration Policy (New America Media, Dec 28, 2009)
NPR interview with Doris Meissner -- Obama: The U.S. Will Be A Home To Refugees Fearing Persecution (Dec 17, 2009)
Vermont Senator, Patrick Leahy on the Release of Parole Guidelines for Asylum Seekers
HRF: Human Rights First Says New ICE Parole Directive is "Important Step"
NPR interview with Doris Meissner -- Obama: The U.S. Will Be A Home To Refugees Fearing Persecution (Dec 17, 2009)
Vermont Senator, Patrick Leahy on the Release of Parole Guidelines for Asylum Seekers
HRF: Human Rights First Says New ICE Parole Directive is "Important Step"
