U.S. Curtails Asylum for Refugees Fleeing Gang Violence
In the recent past, refugees who were fleeing gang or domestic violence in their home countries were able to present a claim for asylum in the United States on that basis. Though such claims were not always accepted, they could at least be adjudicated.
But in June of this year, Attorney General Jeff Sessions ruled that fear of gang and domestic violence would no longer be considered grounds for asylum in the U.S.
“The asylum statute does not provide redress for all misfortune,” the Attorney General wrote.
He held that violence perpetrated by non-governmental actors would no longer justify consideration of an asylum application. The decision was recounted in detail by the Congressional Research Service in a new publication. See Asylum and Related Protections for Aliens Who Fear Gang and Domestic Violence, CRS Legal Sidebar, October 25, 2018.
Other new and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following.
Honduras: Background and U.S. Relations, updated October 24, 2018
Protection of Executive Branch Officials, CRS In Focus, updated October 25, 2018
U.S. Secret Service Protection of Persons and Facilities, CRS In Focus, October 25, 2018
Defense Primer: Personnel Tempo (PERSTEMPO), CRS In Focus, October 23, 2018
Iran and Israel: Tension Over Syria, CRS In Focus, updated October 24, 2018
U.S.-Japan Relations, CRS In Focus, updated October 23, 2018
U.S.-India Trade Relations, CRS In Focus, updated October 24, 2018
Morocco: Background and U.S. Relations, October 26, 2018
What Legal Obligations do Internet Companies Have to Prevent and Respond to a Data Breach?, CRS Legal Sidebar, October 25, 2018
Commercial artificial intelligence tools have recently emerged that are able to produce police reports. If the resulting reports are inaccurate, incomplete or biased, or if the process leaks confidential information, this could undermine the criminal justice system and harm citizens.
Too often, affected patients, clinicians, and regulators cannot see how the system works, why a decision was made, or whether meaningful human oversight occurred.
Existing tools from other domains, such as existing robust public engagement processes in drug development, when applied to AI deployment can help strengthen public trust in these systems and enhance perceptions of their legitimacy and the decisions they produce.
With thoughtful policy action, it is still possible to build systems that are fair, transparent, and accountable, and to earn the public trust that will ultimately determine AI’s future. We hope policymakers are ready to act.