Judge blocks Trump restrictions on asylum for victims of domestic and gang violence
/ CBS/AP
Washington — A federal judge has blocked restrictive Trump administration policies that prevented some immigrants from seeking asylum due to domestic and gang violence in their home countries.
U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan ruled on Wednesday that some of the guidance that then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued this year cannot be used to determine whether an immigrant has a credible fear of persecution or torture in his or her home country. That's the first step to making an asylum claim in the U.S.
The decision from Sessions stemmed from a case involving a woman from El Salvador whose asylum status was upheld in 2016, based on claims she was a victim of domestic violence. The new restrictions were denounced by immigration advocates, and the American Civil Liberties Union sued the government over the policy.
The ruling applies to immigrants in expedited removal proceedings. The judge also ordered the government to return any of the deported plaintiffs back to the U.S. and prevent their deportation.
In 2014, the Board of Immigration Appeals ruled that domestic violence could be used as the basis of an asylum claim. Asylum can also be granted the on grounds of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political affiliation or membership in a social group.
First published on December 19, 2018
© 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Judge rules against Trump's asylum restrictions
The ruling applies to immigrants in expedited removal proceedings
updated 4M ago 
FedEx CEO blames "bad political choices" for slowing economy
Shipper points to increasing trade tensions and weakening demand overseas in darkened take on what's ahead
updated 25M ago 
DC attorney general sues Facebook over privacy scandal
Lawsuit accuses social media giant of misleading users about the security of their personal data
updated 30M ago 
Israel's Jesus Trail blends history and stunning views
The trail takes hikers through sites significant to various religions, including the town of Cana, where the water-to-wine miracle is said to have happened
1H ago 
GAO says VA failed to spend millions allocated for suicide prevention
A report from the Government Accountability Office found the VA only spent $57,000 of $6.2 million for suicide prevention
1H ago 
The lawsuits that could bankrupt the opioid industry
The attorney behind a multibillion-dollar tobacco settlement in 1998 has turned his attention to the opioid epidemic. And he wants drug companies to pay
Dec 17 
Cleaning up the plastic in the ocean
Discarded plastic is piling up around the world and pooling in the ocean. Sharyn Alfonsi reports on the problem's deadly consequences for wildlife and what can be done to stop it
Dec 16 
Tesla CEO Elon Musk: The "60 Minutes" interview
Musk opens up to Lesley Stahl about Twitter, pot, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Model 3 and Tesla
Dec 9 
Study examines effects of screen time on kids
"60 Minutes" goes inside a landmark government study of young minds to see if phones, tablets and other screens are impacting adolescent brain development
Dec 10 
Ryan Speedo Green: From juvenile delinquency to opera stardom
After a childhood of anger and violence, the 32-year-old now commands the stage around the world
Dec 9 
Remembering President George H.W. Bush
Former presidents and others look back on the life of President George H.W. Bush, who passed away Friday
Dec 2 
Paradise Lost: Inside California's Camp Fire
"60 Minutes" reveals what firefighters saw as the deadliest wildfire in California history destroyed the town of Paradise
Dec 2 
The chaos behind family separation at the border
A "60 Minutes" investigation has found the separations that dominated headlines this summer began earlier and were greater in number than the Trump administration admits
Nov 26 
Right Rail – Video Promo – Listing
Facebook hit with another data privacy scandal
Facebook reportedly gave its corporate partners extensive access to users' personal data for years and never told anyone. A New York Times report says Facebook made data-sharing deals with dozens of the world's other tech giants. It's the latest privacy scandal to hit Facebook. Tony Dokoupil reports.
2H ago 04:16 
From the 60 Minutes archives: Huawei
In 2012, Steve Kroft reported on the Chinese telecom giant's pursuit of building the next generation of digital networks in the U.S. and how it prompted an outcry in Washington.
Dec 17 13:38 
Criminal justice reform a step closer to law
A package of wide-ranging criminal justice reforms is one step closer to becoming law. After years of negotiations, the Senate approved the First Step Act, 87 to 12. The House is expected to pass it later this week and send it to the president. Nancy Cordes reports.
5H ago 01:33 
Trump to shut down his foundation amid probe
President Trump agreed to shut down his personal charity amid allegations he used the foundation for personal and political benefit. New York's attorney general is seeking restitution and penalties for what she called "a shocking pattern of illegality." Major Garrett reports.
5H ago 02:39 
Judge lectures Flynn, delays sentencing
Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn thought he would walk out of court free after a sentencing hearing Tuesday. Instead, a federal judge delayed Flynn's sentencing after accusing him of selling out his country. The judge lectured him and signaled the retired general might go to prison for lying to the FBI. Paula Reid reports.
5H ago 01:35 
Judge rules against Trump's asylum restrictions
The ruling applies to immigrants in expedited removal proceedings
updated 4M ago
FedEx CEO blames "bad political choices" for slowing economy
Shipper points to increasing trade tensions and weakening demand overseas in darkened take on what's ahead
updated 25M ago
DC attorney general sues Facebook over privacy scandal
Lawsuit accuses social media giant of misleading users about the security of their personal data
updated 30M ago
Israel's Jesus Trail blends history and stunning views
The trail takes hikers through sites significant to various religions, including the town of Cana, where the water-to-wine miracle is said to have happened
1H ago
GAO says VA failed to spend millions allocated for suicide prevention
A report from the Government Accountability Office found the VA only spent $57,000 of $6.2 million for suicide prevention
1H ago 
Veteran takes 3 buses almost every day to visit wife's grave
She stood by him for 72 years, and he's standing by her now
1H ago 
2018 additions to the Library of Congress' National Film Registry
"The Shining," "Jurassic Park," "My Fair Lady" and "Brokeback Mountain" are among the classic films to be preserved for future generations by the Library of Congress
27 photos 
The timeless photojournalism of Chris Hondros and Tim Hetherington
"War and Peace in Liberia" is a new exhibition in New York City celebrating the work of two acclaimed war photographers, who were both killed in conflict zones
15 photos 
Yemen's humanitarian crisis
The nation's civil war has claimed at least 10,000 lives, and generated the world's worst humanitarian crisis
24 photos 
Notable deaths in 2018
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity
136 photos 
Biggest stories of 2018, ranked
This year was a doozy. These were the top stories on CBSNews.com
55 photos 
Veteran takes 3 buses almost every day to visit wife's grave
She stood by him for 72 years, and he's standing by her now
1H ago 
Thanks for the help of a loving neighbor
For many people flooded out of their homes in and around Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the most welcoming port in the storm has been a total stranger. Jaret Hucks, who owns the Midtown Inn and Cottages, has given away almost a thousand free nights to this community's poorest and most vulnerable evacuees. Steve Hartman revisits the story he first reported earlier this fall, and about a new flood that followed.
Nov 25 02:13 
Student's dedicated service dog awarded honorary diploma
Grad student Brittany Hawley graduated this weekend — but she didn't cross the stage alone
13H ago 
Elderly neighbor's Christmas generosity melts hearts
2-year-old Cadi now has a special present to open every Christmas until she is 16 years old
23H ago 
Foundation brings dogs to brighten people's days
The Good Dog Foundation brings pups to people in need of some love
Dec 18 
Gold Star families get trip to Disney
Attendees received "we remember" pins to wear to the park and went to an event where each of their fallen family members were honored
Dec 14
