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United States

PHR's work in the US addresses the involvement of US military and government personnel and of health professionals in the torture of detainees.

The doctor members of PHR's Asylum Network offer pro bono evaluations in support of the claims of people seeking asylum in the US, of torture and abuse in their home countries.

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War Without End (February 22, 2012)

In a New York Times letter to the editor today, PHR's Kristine Huskey argues that the cost of indefinite detention to human life cannot be overstated.

Michael E. Corradini to Speak at 2012 Immigration Justice Conference (February 21, 2012)

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) today announced that Michael E. Corradini, JD, Asylum Advocate at PHR, will speak at the 2012 Immigration Justice Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Susannah Sirkin to be Awarded Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award (February 21, 2012)

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) today announced that Susannah Sirkin, Deputy Director of PHR, will be honored by Tufts University’s Institute for Global Leadership with the Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award.

Dr. Catherine D. DeAngelis to Join PHR Board of Directors (February 16, 2012)

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) today announced that Dr. Catherine (Cathy) D. DeAngelis will join the organization’s Board of Directors in June.

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Conference Highlights Importance of Forensic Evidence to Asylum Seekers (February 21, 2012)

Approximately 200 people from around the world gathered in Washington, DC on February 15-16 to participate in the “Forensic Evidence in the Fight Against Torture” conference. Participants, including PHR staff, shared experiences, challenges, emerging developments, and best practices from around the world.

ICE Public Advocate Steps in to Right a Wrong in Detention Facility (February 17, 2012)

After a PHR volunteer psychologists was told by officials at a New Jersey detention center that she would have to provide her social security number in order to gain entrance to the facility, the ICE Public Advocate responded within minutes to PHR's request for his assistance. By the end of the day PHR's psychologist was allowed entrance.

For Mentally Ill Immigrants, Help May Be on the Way (February 6, 2012)

For immigrants seeking to avoid deportation and stay in the US, appearing in Immigration Court is often the most daunting part of a complicated process that can take years to complete. While immigrants have a right to have an attorney represent them on their applications for asylum, cancellation of removal, and other forms of immigration relief, the government does not provide lawyers free of charge to those who can’t afford one.

Register Now for PHR's Next Asylum Network Trainings (February 2, 2012)

Calling all health professionals! The Asylum Program at PHR will be hosting a basic training for health professionals interested in conducting physical and psychological evaluations for survivors of human rights abuses.

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PHR Applauds New Government Guidance on Sexual Orientation Asylum Claims (January 2012)

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) welcomes the release of a new training course for Asylum Officers charged with hearing claims from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex asylum applicants. Given the increasing volume of people who seek asylum in the US after facing persecution and torture in their home countries because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, this new training course is a sorely-needed resource for government officials who hold the fates of LGBTI asylum applicants in their hands.

PHR Condemns President Obama’s Signing of National Defense Authorization Act for 2012 (NDAA) (January 2012)

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) condemned today President Barack Obama’s signing of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2012 (NDAA). On the eve of 2012, President Obama signed the NDAA into law, making military indefinite detention in America permanent. Although the President’s signing statement expressed “serious reservations” about the provisions, the statement applies only to the current administration and does not impact how future administrations interpret the law.

PHR Calls on President Obama to Veto National Defense Authorization Act for 2012 (NDAA) (December 2011)

PHR today calls on President Barack Obama to veto the National Defense Authorization Act for 2012 (NDAA). The House and Senate conference report does not fix fundamental flaws found in the provisions regarding treatment of terrorism suspects.

New Medical Neutrality Exemption to “Material Support” Bar to Asylum is Applauded (November 2011)

PHR commends Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano’s decision to create an exemption to the “material support” bar for health professionals who have provided medical assistance to wounded combatants. The decision is a major victory for health professionals who were forced to provide health care to alleged terrorists during armed conflict. Previously, medical professionals forced to provide care to members of terrorist organizations, some under the threat of torture or death, were denied asylum in the US.

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Featured Report

US doctors 'hid signs of torture' at Guantánamo

US government doctors who cared for the prisoners at Guantánamo Bay deliberately concealed or ignored evidence that their patients were being tortured, the first official study of its kind has found. Read More »

Featured Expert

Allen Keller, MD

Co-author of PHR’s ground-breaking report, Broken Laws, Broken Lives, Allen is internationally recognized as an expert in treatment and evaluation of torture. He is the Director of the NYU Center for Health and Human Rights. Read More »