Last week, the U.S. government granted asylum to Cipriana Jurado, a Mexican human rights activist who feared persecution by the Mexican army. According to the Associated Press, Ms. Jurado’s “friend and long-time human rights colleague Josefina Reyes was gunned down in Juarez in January.” Like Ms. Jurado, Ms. Reyes had campaigned against government and gang violence. Not only was Ms. Reyes murdered–killed by unidentified gunmen–several members of her family were abducted. Given the danger, it is not surprising that Ms. Jurado received asylum (not to minimize this accomplishment–only about 2% of asylum cases from Mexico are granted). Ms. Jurado’s case, I think, highlights problems in the United States and Mexico caused by the escalating violence across our border.

http://www.asylumist.com/2011/06/16/asylum-for-mexican-hr-activist-spotlights-problems-in-mexico-and-the-us/