Refugee and Immigrant RightsICE Flight Monitor
Data-driven initiative tracking and documenting U.S. immigration enforcement flights.
Human Rights First
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Together, we defend freedom so justice and democracy prevail.
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Refugee and Immigrant Rights
Refugee and Immigrant RightsReadyNow! App
Create an emergency preparedness plan and alert trusted contacts and legal aid with one click if faced with arrest.
U.S. Democracy ProtectionDemocracy Watch
We track federal and state legislation that restricts rights using an AI-driven monitoring tool to identify trends, flag emerging threats, and equip advocates with actionable data.
Our Focus
Drawing on nearly 50 years of experience, we work to defend freedom and dignity for all, at home and abroad. Through our three, interconnected focus areas, we protect people, unite broad-based coalitions, and are reinventing human rights activism to deliver impact against the odds.
International Human RightsRefugee and Immigrant Rights
We defend refugees’ and immigrants’ rights through legal representation, litigation, humane asylum policy, and accountability.
International Human RightsDemocracy Protection
We bolster U.S. democracy by protecting civil liberties, challenging abuses of power, litigating, and mobilizing communities.
International Human RightsInternational Human Rights
We strengthen accountability, human rights, and humanitarian systems globally.
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Donations help protect people facing persecution, strengthen democratic institutions, and advance solutions that uphold human rights.
Active cases
Through our strategic litigation, we defend democracy, protect refugees, and hold perpetrators accountable.
LawsuitYunseo Chung v. Trump Administration
Defending a lawful permanent resident from arrest for protected political expression
LawsuitEl Sammak v. Egypt
Challenging Egypt’s assault on protesters, seeking accountability for violence on U.S. soil
LawsuitDVD v. DHS
Challenging DHS deportations to third countries without notice or protections
LawsuitSvitlana Doe v. Noem
Defending humanitarian programs to restore status and prevent instability and removals
LawsuitYunseo Chung v. Trump Administration
Defending a lawful permanent resident from arrest for protected political expression
LawsuitEl Sammak v. Egypt
Challenging Egypt’s assault on protesters, seeking accountability for violence on U.S. soil
LawsuitDVD v. DHS
Challenging DHS deportations to third countries without notice or protections
LawsuitSvitlana Doe v. Noem
Defending humanitarian programs to restore status and prevent instability and removals
Relevant research & reports
Feb 10, 2026
Remarks by Human Rights First President and CEO Uzra Zeya at 6th Geneva Forum 2026
6th Geneva Forum 2026 | Repression & Resilience: Human Rights in Tibet & Regions Under China Remarks by President and CEO Uzra Zeya: Thank you, Thinlay, and thank you to the Tibet Bureau in Geneva for organizing this timely and important forum. As the President of Human Rights First, a longtime champion of justice, dignity […]
Accountability & Targeted Sanctions
Mar 2, 2026
U.S. GLOBAL MAGNITSKY SANCTIONS
The best-known of the United States government’s (USG) targeted sanctions tools to address human rights abuse and corruption is the Global Magnitsky (GloMag) sanctions program. Although inspired by and named for Russian whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky, the program has worldwide applicability. Its flexible criteria and mandate for consultation with civil society have made it an attractive […]
Refugee Protection
Mar 16, 2026
ICE Flight Monitor: February 2026 Report
Since taking office on January 20, 2025, the Trump administration has pursued an unprecedented mass deportation agenda. U.S. officials have adopted a range of new tactics, that are legally questionable and undoubtedly cruel, to achieve this objective, including expanding the use of expedited removal, sending people from the United States to offshore detention facilities in […]