Responding to Attorney General Jeff Sessions announcing that victims of domestic abuse and gang violence will no longer qualify for asylum in the United States of America, Denise Bell, researcher for refugee and migrant rights at Amnesty International USA, said:

“From the beginning, this administration has made it clear that it intends to close our borders to people fleeing persecution.

“This heartless decision takes the constant, ongoing attacks on asylum seekers a step further by specifically targeting people seeking safety from domestic or gang violence.

“In what world does the United States turn its back on people who have suffered persecution, trauma and extreme distress from domestic or gang violence? Families seeking safety deserve our compassion. Instead, Attorney General Sessions is slamming the door on those trying to rebuild their lives.

“Today’s decision is a direct assault on people seeking protection, especially families fleeing persecution in Central America.”

The decision will have far-ranging implications, removing the ability of people fleeing persecution inflicted by non-governmental actors to pursue their cases in the United States. This includes people fleeing domestic or gang violence.