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Statement

The ‘Epitome of Cruelty,’ Moms Leader Says of Move by Attorney General Sessions to Deny Asylum to Most Victims of Domestic Violence

June 11, 2018
Immigration

Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996

Statement from Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, CEO and executive director of MomsRising, an online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families, on the Attorney General upending legal precedent that -- until now -- has allowed some who are trying to escape life-threatening domestic violence to receive asylum in the United States:

“Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ gratuitous move to insert himself into long-settled asylum policy in a way that will mean most victims of domestic violence no longer qualify for asylum is shocking, immoral, and the epitome of cruelty.

“There will be a direct line between the U.S. Attorney General’s action today and even greater hardship and suffering for victims of domestic abuse.

“A civilized society can never sanction or accept the kinds of anti-immigrant, anti-refugee atrocities the Trump administration seems to come up with, over and over again. Just a few weeks ago, MomsRising organized a letter that was signed by more than 50 women’s groups; it noted that women and children have borne the brunt of this administration’s harsh rhetoric and cruel policies, and called on Congress to enact policies that respect the sanctity of a family, create a common-sense and humane immigration process, and build a brighter future for the United States. That call to action to Congress is even more urgent now. What the Attorney General did today is unforgivable.”

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.