On June 11, 2018, former Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a deeply disappointing decision in an attempt to erode protections for domestic violence survivors and others who look to the United States for refuge. Invoking a rarely utilized power, Sessions reversed the grant of asylum to a Salvadoran domestic violence survivor in a case known as Matter of A-B-. CGRS represents the woman at the center of the case, Ms. A.B., who fled to the United States after suffering 15 years of brutal violence at the hands of her ex-husband.
This ruling marked a shameful attempt by Sessions to return us to an era when the United States did not recognize women’s rights as human rights, and women fleeing horrific gender-based persecution were wrongfully denied refugee protection. Now, more than ever, we need your help!
Stand with us and make it clear that you want our country to continue to offer refuge to survivors of domestic violence when they have nowhere else to turn. Learn how you can get involved on our dedicated campaign website, ImmigrantWomenToo.org.
More Resources
- "Matter of A-B-: Slamming the Door on Domestic Violence Survivors," factsheet and policy recommendations for Congress (July 2020), also available in Spanish
- "Restore asylum for women fleeing abuse and death," Karen Musalo, Los Angeles Times, November 22, 2019