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The Rocky Path From Section 601 Of The Iirira To Issue- Specific Asylum Legislation Protecting The Parents Of Fgm-Vulnerable Children, Andy Rottman

University of Colorado Law Review

Political asylum in the United States is intended to protect those who fear persecution if they are returned to their country of origin. Arguably, the United States asylum system works reasonably well when the asylum seeker fits neatly within the statutory asylum scheme. If, however, asylum seekers' claims fall outside the statute, the asylum system can work inhumane results. In these situations, Congress can use issue-specific legislation to protect a group facing a discrete humanitarian crisis. This was done in section 601 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 ("IIRIRA"), which explicitly provided asylum protection to …