The Saudi Princesses
“The Texan Doctor and the Disappeared Saudi Princesses” from The New Yorker tells the tragic story of four daughters of King Abdullah—Hala, Sahar, Maha, and Jawaher—who were imprisoned and drugged for nearly 20 years after their mother fled to London. Texas doctor Dwight Burdick, hired to sedate one of the princesses, became entangled in their abuse, offering support while grappling with the ethics of his role. In 2014, the sisters briefly reached out to the media, and their mother appealed to the UN. After King Abdullah’s death, conditions worsened. Burdick later learned two sisters died from malnutrition and substance abuse, exposing deep human rights abuses in the Saudi royal family.
Asylum
The United States provides asylum as a form of protection to individuals who have fled their home country due to persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution. Asylum is granted based on five grounds: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group (PSG). The process allows individuals to stay in the U.S., obtain work authorization, and potentially move toward permanent residency and U.S. citizenship. Understanding the specific requirements and legal definitions is crucial to filing a successful asylum application.
Defining Particular Social Group (PSG)
Membership in a PSG, a critical component of the asylum procedure for individuals who qualify, refers to a group of individuals sharing a common, immutable trait that is recognized socially and subject to persecution.
Are the Saudi Princesses Eligible for Asylum?
If the Saudi princesses were seeking asylum in the United States, they would need to demonstrate that they belong to a PSG as defined under U.S. asylum law. Here are three examples of PSGs that the Saudi princesses might invoke for an asylum claim:
1. Royal Family Women Defying Gender Norms in Saudi Arabia: The princesses could argue that they are part of a social group consisting of Saudi royal women who defy traditional gender roles and challenge the kingdom’s rigid gender norms. In Saudi Arabia, women—particularly royal women—are expected to adhere to strict codes of conduct. The princesses, by advocating for human rights and speaking out against abuses, could be seen as breaking these societal expectations, which placed them at risk of persecution by their family and the government. This defiance, combined with their prominent status, makes them particularly vulnerable to punishment, as demonstrated by their long-term imprisonment and forced sedation.
2. Women Opposing Governmental or Family Control in Saudi Arabia: The princesses could also claim that they belong to a social group of women in Saudi Arabia who resist government or family control.Saudi Arabia operates under a system of male guardianship, and women who seek autonomy or independence from their male guardians (whether family members or the state) are often subject to severe repercussions, including imprisonment, forced medication, and isolation. The princesses’ attempts to gain freedom from the control of their father and the regime could position them within this persecuted social group.
3. Family Members of a Political Dissident: The princesses could argue that they are part of a social group of family members of a political dissident(their mother, who fled to the UK and publicly criticized the Saudi regime). Their mother’s decision to flee and speak out against the Saudi government exposed the princesses to retaliation and severe persecution, including long-term imprisonment and being cut off from society. Family members of political dissidents in authoritarian regimes are often targeted as a form of punishment or coercion, making them part of a recognizable PSG.
Each of these PSGs could provide a legal basis for an asylum claim, as they connect the princesses’ persecution to identifiable social characteristics, such as their gender, family status, and resistance to governmental or family control. Their case would likely focus on proving that the persecution they faced is directly linked to their membership in these groups
Application Process for Asylum
1. Initial Application: An asylum application must be filed with Form I-589 within one year of arrival in the U.S. unless exceptional circumstances exist.
2. Interview: Applicants are required to attend an interview with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to discuss their claim in detail.
3. Decision: USCIS will determine if the applicant is eligible for asylum, granting protection and benefits if approved. If an application is approved, the asylum holder must hold this status for 1 full year before they can apply for lawful permanent residence (green card). Thereafter, they may then apply for U.S. citizenship.
For individuals like the Saudi princesses, understanding the nuances of U.S. asylum law, particularly the application of the PSG category is vital. By aligning their experiences with the legal criteria, they may have had a viable path to safety and eventual residency in the U.S., offering relief from persecution and the opportunity to live with dignity and freedom.
