Comment Of Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.),

Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee,

On Second Circuit Ruling In

Bah v. Mukasey, Diallo v. DHS, and Diallo v. DHS
June 12, 2008

 

The Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Wednesday overturned a ruling by the Board of Immigration Appeals that denied asylum to three women from Guinea, who had applied for asylum in the United States after becoming victims of a controversial practice known as female genital mutilation (FGM).  For years, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has decried the practice.  The subject has been a topic of hearings before the Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law, a new subcommittee established by Leahy in January 2007.  The Second Circuit ordered the Board of Immigration Appeals to hear the cases of Salimatou Bah, Mariama Diallo and Haby Diallo again. Following is Leahy’s reaction to the ruling:

 

“Yesterday’s decision by the Second Circuit reflects the posture the United States should take with all victims of FGM.  The United States has opened its doors to asylum seekers from around the world fleeing discrimination and persecution, and there are few practices with more long-lasting and life-threatening results than FGM.  In its initial opinion, the Board of Immigration Appeals rejected the imminent threat these women face upon returning to their home country.  I hope the Second Circuit’s decision will provide the Board with an opportunity to give this case the careful analysis it requires, and ultimately return the appropriate conclusion.  We cannot be a defender of human rights around the world while shutting our doors to those who seek protection from fear and persecution abroad.”

 

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