RIP Janet Reno

The first female U.S. Attorney General, Janet Reno, passed away today.

Reno loomed large in the field of immigration – in ways you may remember and ways you may not.

For example, did you know that in 1995, Reno called for the creation Immigration and Naturalization Service “abscondee removal teams” in an effort to focus resources on removal of criminal aliens?

In contrast, I’m sure you do remember Janet Reno’s role in ordering the return of young Cuban national Elián González and authorizing the removal of Elián from his Miami relatives when they failed to comply with her order.

But immprofs should best remember Reno for her role in paving the way for domestic violence to become a valid basis for asylum in the United States.

On January 19, 2001, her last day in office, Reno vacated the removal order of Rodi Alvarado, a young Guatemalan, who sought asylum in the U.S. because her husband had brutally beaten and sexually assaulted her. Matter of R.A., 22 I. & N. 906 (BIA 1999). Reno also “proposed a set of regulations that recognized that a credible claim for asylum could be made based on domestic violence if it was severe and if the country in question was unwilling to do anything about such abuse.”

There is no question that these actions were the direct precursor to Matter of A-R-C-G-, 26 I&N Dec. 388 (BIA 2014). 

I, for one, will remember Reno as a trailblazer – one who despite rather relentless criticism of her dress and stature, acted professionally with grace and integrity.

Rest in peace, Janet Reno.

-KitJ