Violence Against Women Act protections for immigrant survivors of domestic violence continue in full force and effect and are not affected by the 2018 domestic violence asylum policies issued by the U.S. Department of Justice

NIWAP has released this Fact Sheet to address the “confusion that has arisen in the legal and victim advocacy communities following the issuance of a precedential decision by the U.S. Attorney General in Matter of A-B-, 27 I&N Dec. 316 (AG 2018) which narrows the likelihood of being granted asylum victims who experienced domestic violence perpetrated against them outside of the United States who are seeking asylum in the United States.” According to the fact sheet, the new decision does not affect the ability of immigrants in the United States who experience domestic violence or are victims of other crimes to seek immigration relief Congress created to provide relief to victims of domestic violence and other crimes.