There are legal pathways to becoming a U.S. citizen, and people reside in the country during this time. Here are two: 1. Asylum seekers live in the U.S. legally while their case is pending. 2. Refugees were already vetted overseas and are in a process seeking permanent residency.

How Democracies Revive: Don’t miss this virtual conversation with Juan Méndez, former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture & long-time member of CVT’s National Advisory Council. Hosted by the U of Minn Humphrey School of Public Affairs - Nov. 11, 5:45 pm Central. Register by email: [email protected].

Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states clearly that everyone has the right to seek asylum from persecution and torture. It is legal for people to seek this protection in the United States.

CVT is hiring a full-time Psychologist in Clarkston, Georgia. You'll provide high-quality, trauma-informed, culturally responsive psychotherapy services, including individual, couples, and group therapy. Doctoral degree required. 50% remote. Click: jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/cvt/CA...

Trump's new cap on refugee admissions is making devastating history with an unprecedented low of 7,500 people, prioritizing white Afrikaners for entry. “The United States has stood as a strong light of hope in the past,” said CVT's Alison Beckman. “Today, that light is being extinguished.”

RCUSA is outraged by the White House’s Presidential Determination on refugee admissions for Fiscal Year 2026, which sets the refugee admissions goal at a devastatingly low 7,500 – the lowest ever set in the 45-year history of the USRAP See RCUSA's full statement here: rcusa.org/news-and-med...

Up until 2025, if you were seeking protection in the United States, it took years, even decades. And while this process helped only a tiny percentage of refugees, it was still possible via the Refugee Admissions Program or by applying for asylum at the border.

NEW: “For a society collectively to make progress towards justice, individual survivors must feel that their own healing and justice needs are being addressed,” said CVT's Dr. Shannon Golden about a new CVT report on justice for survivors in Northern Uganda. Read more: www.cvt.org/statements/n...

Refugees are in the United States legally after undergoing rigorous vetting processes across many government agencies. In fact, refugees are among the most documented people on earth. However, less than 1% of all refugees are ever resettled to the U.S.

Curt Goering served as CVT exec director from 2012-21, a time of expansion in programming. He comments on the need for CVT’s care, saying “. . . at a time of resurgent denial of torture and its impacts, and increasingly, its justification, the role of CVT has never been more critical or needed.”

“CVT friends, supporters and sustainers have been CVT clients’ lifelines,” said Ruth Barrett, former vice president of global operations, in Part 2 of this article commemorating CVT’s 40th anniversary. Click to read more on our past and good wishes for our future. www.cvt.org/articles/cvt...

Another incredible morning of healing and hope as CVT celebrates another successful Restoring Hope Breakfast! While we recognize our 40th anniversary, we are grateful to all our supporters – you make a difference for survivors around the world! Thank you so much.

Those who came to @cvt.org's first clinic in Minnesota 40 years ago included people who had suffered unspeakable horrors and lost everything, often simply because they opposed tyranny and injustice. True then, true now. www.cvt.org/articles/cvt...

If you are in Minneapolis this week, as I am, the only place to be on Thursday morning at 8am is @cvt.org’s 40th anniversary “Restoring Hope Breakfast!” Come join the human rights defenders, humanitarian workers and just downright decent folks who support CVT. give.cvt.org/event/2025-r...

“Those who came to our very first clinic in Minnesota 40 years ago included people who had suffered unspeakable horrors and lost everything, often simply because they opposed tyranny and injustice,” said @simonadams.bsky.social, CVT president and CEO. Part 1 of 2: www.cvt.org/articles/cvt...

Work in helping professions is stressful but CVT's ProQOL assessment shows how your work is impacting you. Alyce Eaton writes: “Even though the work is rewarding, coping with these emotional challenges and second-hand trauma makes a difficult job harder.” www.cvt.org/articles/pro...

“As therapists, we talk about the future with them but we forget about the ambiguity in their futures. I try to keep in mind this question: How can they think of the future when there is no justice?” CVT's Yusra Al-Kailani on the role of justice in therapy. www.cvt.org/articles/bri...

ICE must stop using The WRAP – a full-body restraint – in deportations. There are humane ways to de-escalate situations, including mental health support. New from Oliver Mercer at @visaverge.bsky.social www.visaverge.com/news/ices-fu...

A critical component of CVT’s work over four decades has been policy advocacy to support survivors, end torture and hold people accountable. Many key policy moments were influenced by CVT’s advocacy. Check out these key moments of our history.

“Feeling like they’re being constantly surveilled by our government reminds them of how they were treated back home. That’s why they left.” CVT's Sara Nelson comments on impacts of anti-immigration on clients. By @deannapistono.bsky.social on @minnpost.bsky.social www.minnpost.com/race-health-...

On World Mental Health Day, a reminder that more than 123 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide. These levels, and the trauma they suggest, are truly historic. Mental health care must be part of crisis response. Let’s make mental health and well-being for all a global priority.

We must end this detestable commerce in human cruelty. @cvt.org is proud to partner with @amnesty.org @omegarf.bsky.social and others in pursuit of a #TortureFreeTradeTreaty

How does the U.S. immigration system affect community health and wellbeing? Join CVT's Sara Nelson as she speaks on a panel hosted by MN Doctors for Health Equity. Oct. 11 in St. Paul. If you’re in Minnesota, register here: mdheq.org/event-6334218

Over CVT’s 40 years, we expanded to many countries, serving thousands of survivors. Many programs have since closed, but our hearts are with our colleagues and clients always.

“If a torture-free trade treaty would spare even one person the horrors that we have experienced, it is worth any effort that doing so would require. World leaders can achieve this goal if they commit to it, and lives can be saved.” #TortureFreeTradeTreaty

“There was then no such thing as a one treatment fits all, nor is there now,” writes Dr. Rosa Garcia-Peltoniemi, former CVT senior consulting clinician. She was one of the very first clinicians to provide care to survivors at CVT in its earliest years. Read her story: www.cvt.org/articles/fro...

It’s CVT’s 40th anniversary! Join us in celebrating our milestones and accomplishments from our beginnings back in 1985. Watch for information and details from our four decades of healing and hope.

Survivors of torture have spoken out: It is time to ban goods that have no purpose other than torture. Read the joint declaration from survivors, who write, “We unequivocally support a torture-free trade treaty.” www.cvt.org/statements/j...

The lawsuit CVT joined took a huge blow Friday when the Supreme Court let the Trump administration withhold $4 billion in foreign aid which had been appropriated by Congress and was set to expire today. Even in the face of this setback, we continue to fight for our clients in every way we can.

We must ban the trade of goods that have no use other than torture. It’s time for a torture-free trade treaty. Sign the petition: www.amnesty.org/en/petition/...

One Million Syrians have returned home since the fall of Assad. They want to rebuild their country and recover from the trauma of atrocities, being refugees, and a decade of war. @CVT.org stands with them. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

“Adherence to treaties has saved lives, upheld human dignity, and protected millions of people from persecution, torture and other human rights abuses.” @cvt.org joins the call for all UN Member States to uphold international treaties. www.icj.org/open-letter-...

One million Syrians have returned to the country since President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December after a quarter century in power, @unhcr.org said last week. Many come from neighboring Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, with a majority resettling in the capital, Damascus.

The “people of Syria have hope and want to rebuild their country, and they want to rebuild the relationships between them,” said CVT’s Yusra Al-Kailani to @tobiaraji.bsky.social in @washingtonpost.com www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

Bad news as the Supreme Court lets Trump cut foreign aid. Scott Roehm, CVT director of global policy & advocacy, comments to @cnn.com: “The administration is abandoning torture victims to serve a naked political agenda, nothing more.” edition.cnn.com/2025/09/26/p...

Rendering people to countries or prisons that use torture, including CECOT prison, is illegal. Transfers to torture by the Trump administration violate the principle of non-refoulement. These transfers are done out of cruelty and to instill fear and pain among immigrants in the U.S.

“There’s a growing groundswell of support for an end to what’s happening in Gaza, to violations of international humanitarian law, to the deliberate starvation of the Palestinian people,” says @simonadams.bsky.social on global power dynamics as UNGA begins. www.youtube.com/watch?v=okJf...

📢 Are you a policymaker, survivor advocate or researcher in the field of gender-based violence and #crsv? Join these free expert webinar series organised by the consortium ARC for justice. 📅 25/9, 2/10, 9/10 & 16/10 📍 Register now via Zoom⤵️

CVT is proud to partner in this new webinar series. Join us Thursdays for important conversations about bringing the voices of survivors into processes for justice. Thursday’s webinar: Survivor-Informed Policymaking for Justice Through Consultation, 9/25. georgetown.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

In a time of conflict, creeping authoritarianism and atrocities in #Gaza and elsewhere, what can be achieved at #UNGA80 ? (My attempt to provide some answers here ⬇️📻) 🇺🇳 www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

📣It is time for a #TortureFreeTrade Treaty. 🪧Join us in demanding governments take action to regulate the trade in law enforcement equipment that is used for torture: www.amnesty.org/en/petition/... #UnitedAgainstTorture #ProtectTheProtest

The deliberate and alarming use of militarized tactics by the Trump administration against immigrants is intended to create fear and intimidation. It does not make America safer. It puts us all at risk.

“What began as a small gesture became a binational celebration of solidarity, ensuring that every child, regardless of circumstance, walked into the classroom with dignity, hope, and joy.” A SAMU First Response project brought in 750+ items for kids samufirstresponse.org/education/ba...

Until 2025, for people seeking protection in the U.S. it took years, even decades. And this was for a tiny % of refugees. Yet it was possible, via the Refugee Admissions Program or applying for asylum at the border. Both processes have largely been shut down. There's no line to immigrate to U.S.

When people say they're not against immigration, but people must come to the U.S. legally, they're thinking of a long-outdated concept. There were legal pathways to seek protection in the U.S., but those have largely been closed. They took years to complete - but they were legal.

Here's video of the Sept. 13 @rooseveltinstitute.org Four Freedoms Awards. What superb, inspiring recipients, and great remarks! As a FDR Presidential Library trustee, I had the honor to help present the "Freedom from Fear" award to the Center for Victims of Torture, @cvt.org.

It was a great honor to share a stage with Javier Garcia, CEO of World Central Kitchen and other laureates at the @rooseveltinstitute.org’s 2025 Freedom Awards. WCK, @CVT.org @teenvogue.com and all the award winners show that a better world is possible.

This weekend, at the 2025 Four Freedom Awards, we honored five people & organizations advancing democracy, dignity & justice: @teenvogue.com, @revdrjacquilewis.bsky.social, @middlechurch.bsky.social, @wck.org, @cvt.org. ICYMI: 📽️ Watch the ceremony & learn more ⬇️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ-S...

“Torture is meant to silence. To erase identity. To instill fear so deep that it permeates across generations. But we stand in defiance of that fear,” said @simonadams.bsky.social in his acceptance speech for the Freedom from Fear Award from @rooseveltinstitute.org www.cvt.org/articles/sta...

CVT is honored to receive the Freedom from Fear Award from the @rooseveltinstitute.org - we are grateful to be among the esteemed recipients of the Four Freedoms Awards.