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February 07, 2026 – Peru –
A journalist couple from Peru whose petition for asylum in the United States was denied say they were forced to flee their home country after receiving credible death threats linked to their reporting, but now face an uncertain future after U.S. immigration authorities rejected their claims — a decision that has drawn criticism from their supporters and immigration advocates. The couple’s case has gained media attention as an example of the challenges journalists can face when seeking protection from persecution abroad.
The journalists crossed into the United States from Mexico and applied for asylum, arguing that they had been targeted for their work exposing issues that made them vulnerable to violent retaliation in Peru. They say they fled after individuals who opposed their coverage sent them death threats, which they contend constitute proof of a well-founded fear of harm if they were to return. Their story was featured on NBC Nightly News, where they described the threats as persistent and serious, prompting their flight to safety.
Officials from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ultimately denied their asylum petition, concluding that although the couple had received threats, they did not meet the legal standard required for asylum protection. Under U.S. asylum law, applicants generally must demonstrate that they fear persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. In this case, the adjudicators ruled that the threats — while troubling — were not sufficiently tied to one of these protected grounds.
The couple’s legal representative told the media that the ruling “sends a dangerous signal” about how threat cases are evaluated, stressing that protection should be afforded to journalists facing targeted violence for their reporting roles. They argue that press workers are uniquely exposed to harm when expressing views or uncovering sensitive information, and that denial of asylum in such cases could discourage journalists from seeking refuge until it is too late.
Immigration advocates note that the U.S. asylum system has tightened evidentiary requirements in recent years, making it more difficult for applicants — including journalists — to prove that threats amount to persecution under U.S. law. Some lawyers say that while threats alone do not always qualify for asylum, corroborated evidence of targeted attacks or credible fear of Organized crime or state-linked actors should be weighed carefully.
The couple’s future in the United States remains unresolved. After the denial, they were given options to pursue other forms of relief or face removal proceedings. Supporters have called for their case to be reconsidered, urging that protections for journalists under threat be more clearly recognised by immigration authorities, especially when death threats stem directly from their professional duties.
Their situation highlights ongoing debates around asylum policy and press freedom protections, particularly as journalists in some regions confront escalating violence tied to reporting on crime, corruption, or political issues.
Reference –
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/journalist-couple-whose-asylum-petition-222606671.html
