CVT Logo 40th

The Center for Victims of Torture Denounces Passage of the Laken Riley Act

Published January 23, 2025

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) today issued this statement as the U.S. Congress passed the Laken Riley Act. President Trump is expected to sign the bill into law.

The Laken Riley Act would dramatically expand the use of mandatory detention, with no access to bond or release, without due process and for petty offenses. And it would give the states immense power to dictate federal immigration policy by allowing them to sue the federal government to force specific action.

“This bill poses an enormous risk to vulnerable communities that make the United States more vibrant and prosperous, with torture survivors and others seeking asylum among them. For 40 years, as part of our work at CVT we have heard from survivors of torture about being detained indefinitely, without due process, and tortured because they spoke out against autocrats, or because repressive governments wanted to sow fear in survivors’ communities.

“In our therapeutic work with survivors, we see every day the profound harms that indefinite detention causes, both psychologically and physically. This bill threatens to impose those harms on people who pose no public safety risk.

“Word of this kind of legislation creates fear for our clients and brings up trauma. It takes courage and great care for survivors to rebuild their lives after torture, and the fear this kind of bill elicits can bring healing to a standstill. Torture victims should not have to fear retribution from their government. They deserve legislation that supports their healing and work to rebuild their lives and seek justice without fear of further trauma.” -Alison Beckman, CVT senior clinician for external relations

-###-

The Center for Victims of Torture is a nonprofit organization with offices in Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Uganda, United States and additional project sites around the world. Visit www.cvt.org

Share this Statement

Related Statements