Problem

For victims of persecution abroad, particularly survivors of torture or other forms of abuse, a grant of asylum in the U.S. is a prerequisite to safety and often provides the only opportunity for treatment and recovery. Yet, asylum applicants face serious obstacles in their search for protection. Asylum seekers’ main challenge is to provide government officials with sufficient, compelling evidence of the abuse they have suffered in order to support their claims for asylum.

The Gift

Your gift will enable PHR to assist an asylum applicant in overcoming these challenges. PHR’s Asylum Network of more than 500 trained professionals provides pro bono evaluation, documentation, and testimony of the torture or abuse they have suffered, assuring that asylum seekers receive a just and fair hearing. Our Network members ensure that U.S. asylum officers and immigration judges are provided with the best possible medical and scientific evidence on which to base their decisions. For many, this program literally saves lives and promotes the well-being of survivors and their families. The program’s success is both tangible and measurable: of all decided cases served by the Network over the past 15 years, more than 90% have resulted in grants of asylum, compared to a national average of roughly 30%. Each year, 300-400 asylum seekers take advantage of this unique service.