"Honor killing"
(Doe v. INS, No. 99-71196)(record sealed to protect client's identity)

This is an asylum claim made by a young woman ("Ms. A") from Jordan who had pre-marital sexual relations with her present husband. Ms. A's family now seeks to kill her to regain its honor. This is a common practice not discouraged by Jordanian law. Denied by the Immigration Judge and the Board of Immigration Appeals because it was a "family matter," the case was appealed to the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. In the latest development, the Ninth Circuit remanded the matter at the request of the INS, which promises to withdraw its objection to a grant. The case now is pending before the Board of Immigration Appeals.

For more information on this case:
Center for Gender and Refugee Studies at University of California, Hastings