Increased Asylum Protections for Domestic Violence Survivors

This past Tuesday, the Board of Immigration Appeals published a decision increasing protections for some asylum-seekers fleeing domestic abuse.  Specifically, the Board recognized “married women in Guatemala who are unable to leave their relationship” as a cognizable “particular social group” for asylum law purposes. While this decision does not provide blanket relief for all individuals fleeing domestic violence in their home countries, it does open the door for wider protections.  

To read the full opinion in Matter of A-R-C-G–, please click here.