Saturday, October 31, 2009
Rody Alvarado
Rody Alvarado of Guatemala appears headed for permanent residency in the United States, and in the process may set the precedent for women to receive asylum from abusive husbands. The Guatemalan woman has been trying for 14 years to remain in the U.S. since fleeing her husband, Francisco Osorio, a former soldier. Osorio allegedly subjected his wife to severe beatings that included pistol-whippings and throwing her head against windows and mirrors.
Alvarado arrived in the U.S. in 1995 and has gone through numerous immigration hearings to gain asylum on grounds of escaping abuse. The Justice Department recently agreed to support Alvarado’s case, leaving the matter in the hands of an immigration judge. Her attorney, Karen Musalo, said she expects the judge to rule in her client’s favor, which would make Alvarado’s legal battle “the iconic case of domestic abuse as a basis for asylum.”
-Noel Brinkerhoff
U.S. May Be Open to Asylum for Spouse Abuse (by Julia Preston, New York Times)
Documents and Information on Rody Alvarado's Claim for Asylum in the U.S. (Center for Gender & Refugee Studies)
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