Returning to Our Humanitarian Obligations, AG Garland Restores Protections for Many Asylum Seekers

WASHINGTON—Attorney General Merrick Garland announced today that he is restoring a vital lifeline to victims of severe domestic violence, gang violence, and violence on account of family relationships. Garland issued two decisions overruling Trump-era Attorneys General Jeff Sessions and William Barr’s rulings denying that many such individuals may qualify for asylum in the United States.

The following statement is from Kate Melloy Goettel, legal director of litigation at the American Immigration Council:

“Rescinding these cruel decisions is the first critical step to returning to our humanitarian obligations. We urge the Biden administration to adopt rules that reflect the purpose of our asylum laws—to protect refugees fleeing persecution.

“Amid four years of harmful, discriminatory, and racist asylum policies, Matter of A-B- and L-E-A- were among the most egregious policies in terms of their harmful impact. The Trump administration’s attempt to curtail asylum claims based on gender-based violence, gang violence, and family membership reflected the administration’s focus on demonizing Central American asylum seekers and shutting our nation’s doors to those in need of protection.”

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For more information, contact:

 Maria Frausto at the American Immigration Council, [email protected] or 202-507-7526.