On August 8, 2016, the BIA invited interested parties to file amicus briefs regarding whether there is a duress exception to the persecutor of others bars to asylum (INA 208(b)(2)(A)(i)) and to withholding of removal (INA 241(b)(3)(B)(i)). The BIA will be accepting amicus briefs until September 7, 2016.

Ksena Karelina Freed From Russian Prison
Ksena Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russia citizen, was freed from Russian prison in a prisoner exchange after she had received a lengthy sentence for making a $52 donation to a charity conducting humanitarian work in Ukraine.