USCIRF-MPI Roundtable Discussion: Asylum seekers and US Expedited Removal Procedures

This meeting is held in conjunction with the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, which is conducting an expert study to determine whether asylum seekers subject to Expedited Removal proceedings are being treated "improperly," or detained "inappropriately." The purpose of this Roundtable is to assist the Commission as it considers how best to determine what, under national and international standards, would constitute "improper" treatment of asylum-seekers in expedited removal, or "improper" detention of asylum seekers.

Under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom was authorized to conduct such a study, and is Congressionally authorized to have wide access to all stages of Expedited Removal proceedings. (The General Accounting Office was also required by the statute to conduct a similar study, which it completed in 2000.) Given the issues raised by the dissolution of the INS and the creation of three new Bureaus in the Department of Homeland Security to carry out Expedited Removal, the Commission has decided to proceed with the Study at this time. Mark Hetfield has been appointed as Immigration Counsel to coordinate the study, as well as the Commission's work on other matters relating to refugees and asylum. Kate Jastram, formerly of UNHCR and now at Boalt School of Law in Berkeley and Robert Divine, who is the author of various published works on immigration law, including a 1300 page practice guide, are serving in an advisory capacity to the study, and will take part in the October 10 roundtable along with Mr. Hetfield. The Commission is currently in the process of selecting other experts to participate in the effort. We also expect one or more members of the Commission to introduce the session.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (www.uscirf.gov) is a federal government Commission created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-292) to monitor religious freedom in other countries and advise the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress on how best to promote it. The Commission is independent of the Executive Branch, and consists of nine individuals noted for their knowledge and experience in fields relevant to the issue of international religious freedom.

WHO:	Mark Hetfeld, Immigration Counsel for Study Kate Jastram, Boalt School of Law, Berkeley Robert Divine, Study Advisor Moderator: Kathleen Newland, Migration Policy Institute
WHEN:	Thursday, October 10, 2003 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
WHERE:	1400 16th Street, NW, Suite 300