Use this button to switch between dark and light mode.

Gang and Cartel Violence: A Reason To Grant Political Asylum from Mexico and Central America

January 13, 2014 (1 min read)

"People fleeing gang violence in Mexico and Central America have been, for the most part, denied asylum in the U.S.  Nonetheless, modern interpretations of refugee and international law suggest that there is more merit to these claims for asylum than is currently accepted. U.S. courts have focused on the “particular social group” protected ground analysis in relation to asylum claims from Mexico and Central America, while international courts have looked at human rights interpretations of the Refugee Convention.  A combination of these approaches, focusing on the “political opinion” protected ground and incorporating humanitarian and human rights principles, creates the most persuasive argument in favor of gang-based asylum claims." - Jillian N. Blake, Fall 2012.

Tags: