The New York Times reports that domestic violence victims will be able to apply for asylum in the US, possibly opening a "floodgate of asylum petitions from battered women across the globe":

In addition to meeting the existing strict conditions for being granted asylum, abused women need to show a judge that women are viewed as subordinate by their abuser, according to a court filing by the administration, and must also show that domestic abuse is widely tolerated in their country.

Women subordinate? Check.

Domestic abuse widely tolerated? Check.

Unfortunately, since only foreigners can be granted asylum, most of the 1,861 clients* of Santa Fe's Esperanza Shelter for Battered Families will not be eligible.

* According to Esperanza's 2007-2008 annual report.