Center for Victims of Torture

01/29/2026

“I think there are very few people in this country that are safe.” Scott Roehm, senior director of global justice and accountability, spoke on Sky News about the militarized immigration enforcement in Minnesota and more broadly in the United States. Scott commented on the need to completely dismantle ICE in its form, noting that the government’s stated aim to remove violent criminals in the U.S. is a ruse, as our clients are being taken even though they are not criminals and have lawful immigration status. “It’s part of a widespread and comprehensive assault on fundamental human rights, targeted at immigrants in this country and refugees and asylum seekers in Minneapolis.”

The US Senate has blocked a wide-ranging spending bill over Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in Minnesota, bringing swathes of the government close to a shutdown. Follow the latest.

01/28/2026

NEWS: We’re delighted to announce that Sonya Funna Evelyn has joined CVT as president and CEO! She brings broad experience in global development and humanitarian response from her previous role as vice president for sustainable development at ADRA Int’l, and a deep commitment to health and wellbeing with a background in clinical psychology. Julia Classen, CVT board chair, said, “Her extensive background and track record of developing and launching successful international initiatives are more than simply impressive: her work has changed lives on a global basis.” Join us in welcoming Sonya!
Click to read more: https://www.cvt.org/statements/center-for-victims-of-torture-names-sonya-funna-evelyn-as-president-and-ceo/

01/26/2026

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED. Congress is ready to vote this week to authorize funds for ICE and Border Patrol.

Congress has the power to stop the lawless and cruel attacks happening as we speak in American cities.

Call your member of Congress RIGHT NOW and demand an immediate halt in all funding for these deadly operations until the violence, abuses, and deaths in American communities and in immigration detention centers stop.

Call your representatives and say the following,
“As your constituent, I am calling to express my horror, outrage, and deep grief about the news that federal agents have killed another human being in the streets of Minneapolis. You must take a stand today and refuse to provide one dollar to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol through the appropriations process. I strongly urge you to take immediate action to revoke the tens of billions already given through last summer’s reconciliation bill. What you do now will be remembered for future generations.”
Thank you for standing with us and for survivors as we navigate this crisis here in Minnesota and around the country.

01/26/2026

“Executions in the streets. Abductions by masked security forces at gunpoint. Mass detention in an abusive and unaccountable system. Disinformation campaigns to justify it all. These are the tools and tactics of the world’s most repressive regimes,” writes Scott Roehm, senior director of global justice and accountability, in a statement after the deadly shooting of Alex Pretti by U.S. Border Control agents in Minneapolis. Scott writes, “Whether to stand up and say ENOUGH isn’t a choice about politics. It’s about ending up on the right, or wrong, side of history.” Click to read more: https://www.cvt.org/statements/stopping-out-of-control-u-s-immigration-enforcement-requires-more-than-protesters/

01/25/2026

“This is exactly what our clients have fled from,” said Alison Beckman, senior clinician for external relations, describing the impacts of the militarized ICE enforcement on clients in Minnesota, all of whom survived torture in their home countries. “We’re seeing increased suicidal ideation. Our clients are afraid to go to work. They’re not leaving their apartments, their homes. They’re not going to religious services. It’s pretty awful.”

As a young man, George Thawmoo repeatedly fled his rural village in Burma, taking refuge in the jungle with his family until the Burmese government had retrenched. As soldiers left, they would set fires and burn the bamboo huts that his people — the ethnic Karen — called home. In 1997, Thawmoo a...

01/24/2026

One Year Later: A Message to Honor Clients and Staff
At the one-year anniversary of the day CVT began receiving orders from the U.S. government to immediately stop our clinical work overseas, we recognize the deep impacts on our clients, who lost their care. And importantly, we honor the more than 400 esteemed colleagues who lost their jobs. Our colleagues are highly skilled and dedicated to helping survivors of torture rebuild their lives. We think of their contributions every day, and we miss their brilliance, their kindness and their unending wisdom.

01/22/2026

"One of them was taken as she arrived for work. She was tackled in the snow in front of her coworkers," said Sara Nelson on KARE 11 about clients who have been detained by ICE agents even though they are in the U.S. legally, going through the asylum process.

The Center for Victims of Torture said the four people arrested are in the United States legally with pending asylum cases, work permits and no criminal records.

01/20/2026

NEW: Four CVT Clients in Asylum Processes Have Been Detained by ICE and Flown Out of State
All individuals were in the United States legally, in the asylum-seeking process. One client was detained while going into her workplace; the ICE agents tackled her in the snow in front of her co-workers. “Survivors recognize these actions. This is the kind of harsh and militaristic environment they fled,” said Sara Nelson, program manager. Read more: https://www.cvt.org/statements/four-cvt-clients-in-asylum-processes-have-been-detained-by-ice-and-flown-out-of-state/

01/20/2026

ICE activity in Minnesota and around the contry is forcing survivors of torture to live in fear, afraid to leave their homes, and re-living the trauma of state-sponsored terror that caused them to flee to the U.S.

Survivors need community support, and our community has been stepping up. If you haven't found a way to help yet, here are some great options:

Here’s how you can act today (links below):
➡️ Donate to support grocery deliveries for families unable to leave their homes
https://give.cvt.org/campaign/760030/donate?c_src=CAOS&c_src2=FB
➡️ Learn your rights so you can respond safely if ICE is in your neighborhood
➡️ Check on a neighbor and offer help
➡️ Share this post to raise awareness
➡️ Call your elected officials and demand humane policies
https://www.cvt.org/action/ -action

Thank you for standing up for human rights.

01/19/2026

It is with pleasure that CVT adds four new members to our board of directors: Karthik Gunasekaran, Violeta Hernández Espinosa, Amanda McAllister Novak and Debarati Sen. “I’m delighted to announce the addition of these notable and distinguished new members to the CVT board, whose expertise and leadership are uniquely suited to this moment. CVT is in the process of taking on exciting new opportunities for strategic growth, and these individuals bring ideal strengths and experience,” said Julia Classen, CVT board chair. Join us in welcoming these exceptional leaders.
Click to read more: https://www.cvt.org/statements/the-center-for-victims-of-torture-welcomes-new-board-members-3/

01/16/2026

Happy puppies can help with mental health. Meet the team of therapy dogs who visited our clinic in St. Paul this week as part of wellbeing activities for clients and clinicians. During very stressful days, it was a pleasure to have time with cuddly animals.

01/16/2026

CVT is hiring an Insurance Case Manager to provide insurance-related systems navigation, social rehabilitation services and interpretation to clients from diverse geographic, cultural and social backgrounds, as part of a multi-disciplinary healing team. Fluency in one non-English language required. Location: St. Paul. 20% remote. Click for details and to apply: https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/cvt/CANDIDATEPORTAL