Immigration ruling harms immigrants
FREE Catholic Classes
By CNA/EWTN News
6/13/2018 (8 months ago)
Catholic Online
(https://www.catholic.org)
A ruling by the U.S. attorney general that victims of domestic abuse and gang violence may no longer qualify for asylum could "close the door" on the most vulnerable, warned a refugee official with the U.S. bishops" conference.

Highlights
By CNA/EWTN News
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
6/13/2018 (8 months ago)
Published in Americas
Keywords: Immigration, Catholic News, Refugees, Asylum seekers, Jeff Sessions
Washington D.C. (CNA/EWTN News) - On Monday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions released a 31-page ruling which overturned a 2016 decision granting asylum to a woman who had been "emotionally, physically and sexually" abused by her husband in El Salvador. For the sake of anonymity, the woman is known as Ms. A-B in court papers.Â
Sessions said that domestic abuse and gang violence claims alone should not be considered grounds for an asylum claim, unless there is also evidence of persecution by government actors based on one"s social group.
The decision "strips life-saving protection from Ms. A-B herself, and also potentially many other women who lack adequate protection and will now face return to the extreme dangers of domestic violence in their home country," said Ashley Feasley, the director of policy at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops" Migrant and Refugee Services.
"Similarly, this decision could close the door on those fleeing gang violence in their home country from escaping persecution," Feasley told CNA, adding "this action also overrides extensive prior legal precedent."
Currently, individuals can seek asylum in the U.S. if they fear persecution in their home country on the basis of race, political opinion, nationality, religion or social group. The U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals found that Ms. A-B qualified for asylum under the "social group" definition, but Sessions overturned the ruling, saying it was "inherently ambiguous," according to the BBC.
"Asylum was never meant to alleviate all problems â€" even all serious problems â€" that people face every day all over the world," said Sessions on June 11, according to NPR.
"The asylum statute does not provide redress for all misfortune," Sessions continued, who stressed the Trump administration"s "zero tolerance" border policy.
The case of Ms. A-B was sent back to an immigration judge to order her deportation, although her lawyers said they have plans to challenge Sessions" decision in federal court.
The BBC reports that around 10,000 people annually receive asylum in the U.S. due to domestic abuse or gang violence in their home countries, and the New York Times reports that credible fear claims reported at the border have skyrocketed 1,700 percent from 2008-2016. Sessions" ruling could mean that many of these asylum cases will be blocked moving forward.
Many groups voiced their concern over the attorney general"s decision, saying it will only harm the already vulnerable.
"Turning our backs on victims of violence and deporting them to grave danger should not be the legacy sought by any administration," said Beth Werlin of the American Immigration Council, saying the decision will "no doubt result in sending countless mothers and children back to their abusers and criminal gangs."
The ruling is most strongly affect asylum seekers from Latin American countries, where gang violence has been rampant in recent years. The U.N. has said these countries have some of the worst rates of violence against women in the world.
Thousands of asylum seekers are waiting for legal entry into the U.S. and have camped near border crossings, although authorities have told them to continue waiting in Mexico before applying for asylum.
An immigration spokesman said the entry delays are expected to be "temporary," according to the New York Times, but many of the asylum-seekers are running out of resources as they wait in limbo at the U.S-Mexican border, according to reports.
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2019 - Distributed by THE CALIFORNIA NETWORK
Pope Francis Prayer Intentions for January 2019
Young People and the Example of Mary. That young people, especially in Latin America, follow the example of Mary and respond to the call of the Lord to communicate the joy of the Gospel to the world.
More Americas
Esta es la primera imagen de la Virgen Maria que llego a Mexico hace 500 anos Watch

El 14 de febrero de 1519 llego al actual Mexico la imagen de la Virgen de los Remedios, la primera advocacion mariana en ser venerada en ... continue reading
152 Catholic Priests in Mexico are removed from ministry for sexual abuse

Over the past nine years, 152 priests in Mexico have been removed from ministry for sexual abuse of youth or vulnerable adults, the ... continue reading
In Alaska, January 22 was Right to Life Day Watch

In a pro-life proclamation marking the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Governor Mike Dunleavy of Alaska, a Catholic, declared the ... continue reading
Premian al Episcopado venezolano por promover los valores democraticos Watch

La Conferencia Episcopal Venezolana (CEV) recibio este 30 de enero el premio Valores Democraticos 2018 en reconocimiento a su labor a favor ... continue reading
Iglesia en Mexico: La vida debe defenderse desde el vientre materno y en todas sus etapas Watch

El Secretario General de la Conferencia del Episcopado Mexicano (CEM), Mons. Alfonso Miranda, senalo recientemente que la vida humana debe ... continue reading
FREE Classes on Lent from Catholic Online School
Our Mission is to Provide a Free World Class Catholic Education for Anyone, Anywhere. Help our Mission >
Latest
by Catholic Online
- Daily Reading for Tuesday, February 19th, 2019 HD Video
- Ordenan por primera vez sacerdote a miembro de una tribu de Indonesia
- St. Simon: Saint of the Day for Monday, February 18, 2019
- Esta es la primera imagen de la Virgen Maria que llego a Mexico hace ...
- Daily Reading for Monday, February 18th, 2019 HD Video
- Daily Readings for Monday, February 18, 2019
- Liturgy is not 'styles, recipes, trends,' pope tells Divine Worship ...
Latest Videos
on YouTube

Daily Readings
Daily Reading for Sunday February 17, 2019
Reading 1, Jeremiah 17:5-8
Psalm, Psalms 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6
Gospel, Luke 6:17, 20-26
Reading 2, First Corinthians 15:12, 16-20
Saint of the Day

St. Alexis Falconieri
February 17: Founder and mystic, one of the first Servants of ... Read More

Information
Learn about Catholic world
Catholic Online
Inform - Inspire - Ignite
Catholic Online Saints
Your saints explained
Catholic Online Prayers
Prayers for every need
Catholic Online Bible
Complete bible online
Catholic Online News
Your news Catholic eye
Daily Reading
Today's bible reading
Lent / Easter
Death & resurrection of Jesus
Advent / Christmas
Birth of Jesus
Rest of Catholic Online
All Catholic world we offer
Services
Products and services we offer
Catholic Online Shopping
Catholic medals, gifts & books
The California Network
Inspiring streaming service
Advertise on Catholic Online
Your ads on catholic.org
Catholic Online Email
Email with Catholic feel
Catholic Online Singles
Safe, secure Catholic dating
The California Studios
World-class post production service
Education
Learn the Catholic way
Catholic Online School
Free Catholic education for all
Student Classes
K-12 & Adult Education Classes
School Teachers
Teacher lesson plans & resources
Support Free Education
Tax deductible support Free education
Socials
Connect with us online
Catholic Online on Facebook
Catholic social network
Catholic Online on Twitter
Catholic Tweets
Catholic Online on YouTube
Enjoy our videos
Catholic Online on Instagram
Shared Catholic moments
Catholic Online on Pinterest
Catholic ideas style inspiration