Experienced Immigration Attorneys in Dallas

New limitations for Asylum Seekers

The attorney general of the United States, William Barr, determined that relatives of a victim of violence are not eligible to request asylum as a “particular social group”, thus putting a new obstacle to the asylum system.

Under the asylum act, a person located in the United States or who arrives to a port of entry may request asylum after having been victim of persecution or fear retaliation because of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a social group or political opinion.  These benefits can include a spouse and children (under 21 years of age and unmarried) of the applicant.

The decision by the attorney-general was made known after a federal judge in California temporarily blocked the restrictions on the asylum approved a week before by Donald Trump, who sought to leave out of the system to the majority of applicants from Central America.