Asylum

In politics, asylum or political asylum means safe entrance into another country for a controversial figure no longer wanted by his own country or for a person who fears persecution, for example, religious persecution, in their own country.

In June 2018, Attorney General (AG) Jeff Sessions ruled that aliens who fear domestic violence or gang violence in their home countries generally do not qualify for asylum—a ruling that is binding upon immigration authorities within both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Violence perpetrated by non-governmental actors would no longer justify consideration of an asylum application. An apprehended alien may be subject to expedited removal.