New hope for asylum claimants

On June 16th U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland reversed restrictions on asylum eligibility imposed by the Trump administration. Garland’s decision means that Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security will return to pre-Trump era immigration policies and guidelines for asylum protection. Individuals fleeing gender-based violence, gang brutality, and persecution because of familial ties will once again be able to seek asylum on those grounds.

Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta wrote in a memo, “Thank you for your prompt attention to these matters, and for the Division’s continuing work to ensure that all asylum claims-including those based on domestic violence, gang violence, or family relationships-are considered fairly expeditiously, and in accordance with our Nation’s claims.”