Refuge
Volume 32, Issue 3, 2016, Pages 95-107

Fleeing domestic violence from a "safe" country?: Refugee determination for mexican asylum-seekers in Canada (Article)

Margarita P.-P. , Bhuyan R. , Vargas A.
  • a Department of Society and Culture, Canada
  • b University of Toronto, Canada
  • c University of Toronto, Canada

Abstract

This article presents a mixed-methods study of domesticviolence- related claims for Mexican asylum-seekers in Canada. Although refugee claims that indicate domestic violence are slightly more likely to be approved, the majority of Mexicans seeking protection from domestic violence are denied because they are unable to demonstrate the lack of state protection. Our findings illustrate that Immigration and Refugee Board members' assessment of a claimant's credibility, internal flight alternatives, and the availability of state protection pivot on their perception of Mexico as a "democratic" or "safe" nation. We discuss how cursory attention to the social context of gendered violence in Mexico leaves Mexicans with few legal options for humanitarian migration.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Domestic Violence Canada immigration policy migration determinant refugee Latino people asylum seeker
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85006391353&partnerID=40&md5=47673e36e038328b8fa4d869055b8181
ISSN: 02295113
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English