Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) is a section of the human rights organization Amnesty International that operates in the United States. The AIUSA aims to promote human rights in the United States and worldwide by raising awareness, investigation, and exposing human rights abuses, and advocating for change to improve the lives of people affected by human rights violations. AIUSA works to protect the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers, ending the use of the death penalty, ending torture and ill-treatment, as well as protecting the rights of individuals in the context of national security. The organization employs a combination of grassroots organizing, research, and campaign work to promote human rights awareness and influence public policy making at the local, state, and national levels. AIUSA’s work includes pushing governments to create and enforce stronger laws and policies that safeguard human rights, as well as organizing lobbying and advocacy efforts to influence the United Nations and other international bodies to protect and promote human rights globally. The organization, headquartered in New York City, was founded in 1966 and has continued to be a prominent human rights advocate and influence player in the United States and worldwide.