Layli Miller-Muro, Esq.

Biography

Layli Miller-Muro, Esq.

Layli Miller-Muro is the Executive Director of the Tahirih Justice Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting women from human rights abuses through the provision of legal aid and social services (www.tahirih.org). Previously, she was at attorney at Arnold & Porter where she practiced international litigation and maintained a substantial pro bono practice. Prior to joining Arnold & Porter, Layli was an attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice at the Board of Immigration Appeals.

While only a student in law school, Layli argued before an Immigration Judge and assisted in the appeal of a high-profile case involving a woman's right to receive refuge in the United States from a tribal practice called female genital mutilation. This case, which involved a young woman from Togo named Fauziya Kassindja, was the first in which the Board of Immigration Appeals (the highest appellate immigration tribunal) recognized female genital mutilation as a basis for asylum. The case set nationally binding legal precedent and made legal history.

Layli assisted Fauziya write a book about her life, flight from Togo, and fight for freedom in the United States, entitled Do They Hear You When You Cry, which was published in the United States by Bantam Doubleday Dell in March 1998. All of Layli's portion of the proceeds were donated to enable the creation of the Tahirih Justice Center. The book has subsequently been published in 14 different languages and an audio version has been recorded. The movie rights have been sold to Abandon Entertainment.

Layli's other publications include Female Genital Mutilation: Balancing Intolerance of the Practice with Tolerance of the Culture (Journal of Women's Health: February 1997), Female Genital Mutilation in the United States: An Examination of Criminal and Asylum Law (American University Journal of Gender and the Law: Spring 1996), and New Trends in Addressing Violence Against Women (Human Rights Law Brief: Spring 1994). In addition, Layli is recipient of the Feminist Majority Foundation Award, Africa's Children's Fund Award, 2000 Mentor Award, Voices of Courage Media Award, Agnes Scott College Young Alumni Award, Human Relations Award, and the Woodrow Wilson Princeton Community Service Award. Layli also recently received the honor being elected to term membership on the Council on Foreign Relations.

Layli frequently gives speeches at universities throughout the United States and at conferences throughout the world on issues relating to women's rights, harmful traditional practices, and the treatment of refugees. She has appeared as a commentator about female genital mutilation, U.S. immigration policy, and as the personal subject of numerous stories on CNN, BBC, ABC-Nightline, PBS, CNBC, 700 Club, NPR, Fresh Air with Terry Gross, Diane Rehm Show, the New York Times, and the Washington Post.

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