News & Commentary written by Ruthie Epstein

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Ruthie Epstein

Former Deputy Director, Immigration Policy

ACLU

Bio

Ruthie Epstein is a former deputy director of immigration policy for the ACLU. Epstein joined the ÌÒ×ÓÊÓÆµin 2013 and served as deputy advocacy director for NYCLU, and as a lobbyist for immigration and criminal justice with the ACLU's national office.

From 2005 to 2013, Ruthie worked at Human Rights First in New York. She led the organization's detention reform advocacy, authored reports on immigration detention and the Iraqi SIV program, and convened the five-part nationwide event series Dialogues on Detention: Applying Lessons from Criminal Justice Reform to the Immigration Detention System. She started at HRF as a program associate in the pro bono asylum legal representation program, working directly with asylum seeker clients. Ruthie holds a master's in international affairs from Columbia University and an AB in history from Washington University in St. Louis.


Featured work

May 20, 2020

How to Co-opt a Pandemic to Ban Asylum

How to Co-opt a Pandemic to Ban Asylum

Feb 26, 2020

Ban on Attorney Access for Asylum Proceedings in Inhumane CBP Jails Key to Trump's Attack on Asylum

Ban on Attorney Access for Asylum Proceedings in Inhumane CBP Jails Key to Trump's Attack on Asylum

Jan 29, 2020

One Year of Forced Return to Mexico; Three Years of Trump Dismantling the Asylum System

One Year of Forced Return to Mexico; Three Years of Trump Dismantling the Asylum System

Jun 27, 2019

Immigrants’ Rights Aren’t Possible If We Don’t Stop Criminalizing Border Crossing

Immigrants’ Rights Aren’t Possible If We Don’t Stop Criminalizing Border Crossing

Jun 17, 2019

The Immigration System Is Inhumane. The Next President Must Dismantle It.

The Immigration System Is Inhumane. The Next President Must Dismantle It.

Jun 22, 2018

The Tried-And-True Alternatives to Detaining Immigrant Families

The Tried-And-True Alternatives to Detaining Immigrant Families

Mar 12, 2018

The Government’s Case Against California’s ‘Sanctuary’ Policies Is on Weak Legal Ground

The Government’s Case Against California’s ‘Sanctuary’ Policies Is on Weak Legal Ground

Nov 27, 2017

Trump and Sessions Keep Trying to Institute Anti-Immigrant Policies

Trump and Sessions Keep Trying to Institute Anti-Immigrant Policies

Apr 14, 2015

Apple Made the Right Call on Fair-Hiring Practices. Uncle Sam Should Follow Its Lead.

Apple Made the Right Call on Fair-Hiring Practices. Uncle Sam Should Follow Its Lead.

Jan 24, 2014

Is Illegal Entry the Crime You’re Most Afraid Of?

Is Illegal Entry the Crime You’re Most Afraid Of?