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Fleeing domestic violence in El Salvador, mother’s asylum quest in U.S. is complex

(Wash Post)

Beyond illustrating the hardships of separation, the situation the mother and daughter face also shines a light on the ramifications of a June 11 decision by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions that reversed protections for asylum seekers who say they are fleeing domestic violence.

By Rob Kuznia

July 1, 2018

The little girl, a 6-year-old from El Salvador, never really knew her father until she was 5.

That’s when the man, a police officer, suddenly decided he wanted to rekindle his family life, and began demanding that she and her 23-year-old mother — his ex-girlfriend — spend time with him. He drank heavily and fought with the mother, often inflicting physical harm.

One day, during a fight with the mother, he pulled out a gun and pointed it at the little girl.

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