WASHINGTON _ A Democratic proposal to reverse strict guidance on who can be granted asylum in the United States is a sticking point in ongoing congressional border security negotiations aimed at averting another government shutdown.
Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued the guidance in June, saying that fears of domestic violence or gang violence could not be used as grounds to claim asylum.
Democrats, led by North Carolina Rep. David Price, have made reversing that stance a key part of their negotiations with Republicans over a bipartisan border security bill. Price is a member of the conference committee, which faces a Feb. 15 deadline.
