What We Learned This Summer: The State of LGBTQ Refugees in a Trump 2.0
Sal fled violence in Pakistan for being gay. When he arrived in the U.S., he hoped for safety. He shared his story as part of our 2023 summer exhibition of stories of resilience. Soon after, he was caught by ICE in Boston and taken to an immigration detention center. For months, he lived in limbo, fighting his asylum case. Our community rallied around him—writing letters, supporting his lawyers, showing up in whatever ways we could. Eventually, he won fast-tracked asylum.
Sal’s story has a rare ending. Most asylum seekers do not get that kind of support. They spend months locked in ICE detention centers, isolated and afraid, with no clear path forward. At Refuge America, we’ve always believed the U.S. can be a place of welcome—a country that honors its history as a nation of immigrants. But this summer reminded us how fragile that promise can be.
The fight against refugees and the fight against LGBTQ people are no longer separate. They have become one. Around the world and here at home, far-right movements are fusing anti-immigrant xenophobia with anti-LGBTQ hate, making queer and trans people among the most targeted populations on earth.
Lesson One: Invisibility Compounds Vulnerability
We don’t know how many LGBTQ refugees exist—not because there are few, but because they are forced to hide. Data isn’t collected safely, and self-disclosure can be deadly. For people like Sal, invisibility isn’t a choice—it’s survival.
But hiding comes with a cost. It makes it harder to protect lives. At Refuge America, we see the power of stories. Lifting up voices from the shadows makes resilience visible and humanity undeniable.
Lesson Two: Double Targeting in a Hostile World
Paths to safety are closing fast. Resettlement rules favor certain groups, leaving queer and trans refugees stranded. Leaders from Hungary to the U.S. are using homophobia, transphobia, and anti-refugee rhetoric to consolidate power. The message is clear: LGBTQ refugees are often viewed as outsiders. Sometimes, they are portrayed as threats.
Lesson Three: Barriers in the Asylum Process
Even in the U.S., safety isn’t guaranteed. LGBTQ asylum seekers must prove their identity in ways judges find “credible,” often through narrow Western stereotypes. Those who don’t fit are denied. Many go through the process alone, terrified of years in limbo or ICE detention. The toll is devastating: isolation, deteriorating health, constant fear.
Where We Go From Here
Our work must move on two fronts: responding to urgent crises and building lasting systems of protection. Legal aid organizations are stretched thin. Social services are rationed. Refugees come to us asking for help, and we must find ways to answer.
That means:
· Strengthening legal support for LGBTQ asylum seekers.
· Giving everyday Americans clear ways to take action. People want to help—they just don’t always know how.
This fall, we invite you to join us. On September 25th, we will gather to share lessons, resource the fight, and stand in solidarity with LGBTQ refugees. When the most vulnerable are targeted, it’s not just their safety at stake—it’s the future of our democracy.