A/HRC/16/11 73. The United States addressed additional questions regarding immigration. Over the last five years, it welcomed over 5.5 million new permanent residents and over 3.5 million new naturalized citizens, and resettled or granted asylum to nearly 425,000 refugees. It is committed to improving its immigration system. The Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Labour are working together to improve protections for migrants. In response to concerns from civil society regarding immigration detention and the removal process, DHS has undertaken major reforms to improve detention center management, health, safety, and uniformity among facilities. DHS’s reforms are designed to ensure that detention was used only when appropriate, in light of legal requirements and the need to ensure public safety. In 2010 the United States lifted a 22-year ban on travel to the country by HIV-infected individuals. The United States delegation discussed recent programmes to combat international trafficking in persons. 74. In consultation with civil society and the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees, the United States established that each arriving alien with a credible fear of persecution or torture would be considered for release; and that those who established their identity and did not pose a flight risk or a danger to the community would not be detained pending completion of their immigration proceedings. For detained aliens, the United States recognizes the need to improve conditions of confinement, medical care, and the ability to exercise their human rights. DHS is revising standards governing immigration detention conditions, implemented a new detainee locator system, and assigned new oversight personnel nationwide. In the context of immigration enforcement, the United States recognized concerns regarding racial and ethnic profiling by local law enforcement officials and reaffirmed its commitment and recent actions to combat profiling through significantly strengthened protections and training against such discrimination. 75. The Republic of Moldova underlined the important involvement of the United States in countering human trafficking. It noted with appreciation the fact that the number of applied death penalties had been decreasing and that the death penalty as a punishment was excluded for those offenders who were under the age of 18 at the time of the offence. 76. Trinidad and Tobago noted the Government’s efforts to respect human rights, including those to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination, and the enactment of legislation in 2009 to combat gender-based wage discrimination. 77. New Zealand stated that the United States had demonstrated leadership in the promotion of human rights. It noted with appreciation that the United States had excluded the death penalty for those under 18 years of age at the time of the offence, and those with intellectual disabilities. However, it noted that significant numbers of people continued to be executed. New Zealand welcomed the signing by the United States of CPRD. 78. Haiti deplored the difficulties encountered by persons of African descent who, for example, faced a high rate of unemployment and had lower income. Haiti asked about the Government’s intention to set up a national human rights institution. 79. Israel expressed appreciation for the United States’ significant contribution and commitment to the advancement and protection of human rights throughout the world. It also noted with appreciation the United States’ engagement with stakeholders in a comprehensive consultation process. 80. Japan praised the United States for its efforts to tackle human rights issues in the unique context of its multi-racial, multi-national and multi-religious society. Japan was concerned about the alleged use of excessive force by law enforcement officials, especially against Latino and African-American persons. 81. Canada welcomed reinvigorated United States efforts to enforce its Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination based on race, colour, sex, national origin and 11