*Update: On December 19, 2018, federal judge Emmet Sullivan struck down most of the policies former Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued that made it almost impossible for victims of domestic and gang violence to seek asylum.
On Monday, June 11th, 2018, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions has overturned a previous court decision that many domestic violence victims from Central America are entitled to asylum protections in the US. According to the New York Times, “Mr. Sessions reversed a decision by a Justice Department immigration appeals court that had given asylum to a woman from El Salvador who had been raped and abused by her husband.” Our Deputy CEO Liz Roberts offers the following statement:
We are deeply troubled and disappointed by Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision to create significant barriers for individuals and families seeking asylum in the United States after fleeing domestic violence in their home countries.
Every year at our Immigration Law Project, we assist survivors, who have experienced unimaginable levels of violence with no protection from the governments of their home countries, to seek protection under our country’s immigration laws. Today’s decision reverses years of case law and tragically places these survivors at risk once again.
We want immigrant victims of violence to know that we stand with you today and always. At Safe Horizon, we will continue to defend the humanity and safety of immigrant survivors.