Urgent Need for Sponsors for Queer/Transgender Asylum Seekers

The Trump administration is now looking to deny bond to asylum seekers. See: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/16/us/politics/barr-asylum-bail.html?emc=edit_NN_p_20190417&nl=morning-briefing&nlid=78309209tion%3DtopNews§ion=topNews&te=1

This will keep asylum seekers in detention while they wait for their cases to be heard, which can take up to 1-2 years at this point. Right now, eligible asylees are able to be released on bond to sponsors. That will change in 87 days.

I’m throwing this out there in case you or someone you know is in a place energetically, financially, emotionally, etc to consider sponsoring a queer/transgender asylum seeker. Central America is a pretty dangerous-and sometimes deadly-place to be out. In El Salvador, which is about the size of Massachusetts, about 50 queer/trans people are murdered each year.

We’ve been learning a fair amount as we’ve been going through this process and can answer many questions or know how to find people who have answers. I will say off the bat that it’s a long term commitment, averaging 6-8 months. It’s definitely not for most people.

So if you or someone you know might be interested, please be in touch with Dawn.