HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST for HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST

Foreign Relations FOR

Increased State Department appropriations for Syrian refugees and increased support for border nations hosting refugees. Expansion of U.S. sanctions against Russia to include those providing material support for the Syrian regime and violence in Ukraine. U.S. support for repeal of Uganda anti-homosexuality legislation. U.S. support for repeal of Nigerian anti-homosexuality legislation. U.S. support for repeal of Russian anti-LGBT legislation. U.S. support for protection of LGBT Jamaicans. S.2472: A bill to establish in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor of the Department of State a Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Peoples (International Human Rights Defense Act). H.R.5128: To establish in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor of the Department of State a Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Peoples. H.R.4907: To impose sanctions with respect to foreign persons responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, and for other purposes (Global Respect Act). Implementation of the 2011 Presidential Memorandum on International Initiatives to Advance the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons. Promoting U.S. leadership in advancing Nigeria's efforts to secure the release of more than 230 girls abducted by extremist group Boko Haram, including application of Leahy Law vetting. Civil society participation in the 2014 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. Implementation of Leahy Law to vet recipients of U.S. foreign military assistance and ban sales to units who have members found to have committed gross human rights abuses. Denial of certification that Egypt is making progress towards democratic transition, in view of the extensive violations to human rights that are taking place. U.S. support for free and fair presidential election in Egypt. Senate confirmation of nominee for U.S. ambassador to Egypt. S.2499: An original bill making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, and for other purposes. Section 7041(a): concerning the availability of funds for Egypt Section 7010(a): concerning reporting on funds obligated for military assistance H.R.5013: Making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, and for other purposes. Section 7041(a): concerning the availability of funds for Egypt Section 7010(a): concerning reporting on funds obligated for military assistance

Contacted: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS); Executive Office of the President (EOP); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; State, Dept of (DOS); SENATE; Defense, Dept of (DOD)

Bills named: S. 2472 (113th), H.R. 4907 (113th), H.R. 5128 (113th), S. 2499 (113th), H.R. 5013 (113th)

Immigration IMM

Strengthening the U.S. asylum and immigration processing systems to ensure fair and efficient processing for persons apprehended or detained at the border. Request for supplemental budget to address the increase in unaccompanied children and families crossing the border. Language in FY 2015 appropriations legislation that would improve the detention system, access to counsel, immigration courts, Legal Orientation Programs (LOPs), and related issues. S.2437: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 H.R.4660: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 Senate FY 2015 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill House FY 2015 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill S.744: A bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes. Title III; Subtitle D--Asylum and Refugee Provisions Title III provisions related to Detention, Alternatives to Detention, Access to Counsel and Immigration Court H.R.15: To provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes. Title III; Subtitle D--Asylum and Refugee Provisions Title III provisions related to Detention, Alternatives to Detention, Access to Counsel and Immigration Court Reforming the U.S. immigration detention system, including efforts to discontinue use of jails and jail-like facilities, improve custody/release procedures, expand alternatives to detention, increase access to counsel, and eliminate the detention bed mandate. Reforming the current asylum system related to detention, the one year filing deadline, credible fear process, expedited removal process, terrorism related grounds of inadmissibility, and maintaining protections for asylum seekers. Increased protections for Syrian refugees.

Contacted: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS); U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); Executive Office of the President (EOP); State, Dept of (DOS); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

Bills named: S. 744 (113th), H.R. 15 (113th), H.R. 4660 (113th), S. 2437 (113th)

Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV

In relation to the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. Proposed Authorization for the Use of Military Force--all sections. H.R.4435: To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2015 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes (National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015). Sections 1032, 1033, 1034: concerning individuals detained at the United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay S.2410: An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2015 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes (National Defense Authorization Act for the 2015 Fiscal Year). Sections 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034: concerning individuals detained at the United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay H.R. 4870: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2015. Title IX- Overseas Contingency Operations, Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund Sections 8107-8108, 10004, 10029: concerning individuals detained at the United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay In relation to the declassification and release of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence's study on the post-9/11 rendition, detention, and interrogation program.

Contacted: Executive Office of the President (EOP); Defense, Dept of (DOD); SENATE; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS); State, Dept of (DOS); U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS)

Bills named: H.R. 4435 (113th), S. 2410 (113th), H.R. 4870 (113th)