The LGBT Asylum Project

Did you know? In 2019, a total of 27,643 people were granted affirmative asylum in the United States. This year we hope to help as many LGBTQ+ asylum seekers as we can. Thank you to everyone who supports our cause!

Here's a great explanation of why asylum is more challenging for LGBTQ+ people.

Winning Asylum during COVID-19 in the Age of Trump Here is the story of our former client Hans:

ASYLUM WIN ALERT Today, on this final day of the Trump Presidency, we received ANOTHER ASYLUM WIN!! Our client suffered harm and mistreatment because of their sexuality in Peru! Special thanks to our Paralegal, Chava E Salvador Hernandez for their hard work on this case and to our LSFN Legal Fellow Norjmaa Battulga for representing our client at their asylum interview! We wish our client a happy, healthy and safe life here in America!

Escaped homophobia and 20 years imprisonment for being gay in Malaysia, Attacked by the Xenophobic Trump government, Provided his testimony during a pandemic, ... His new life in America! TOMORROW (January 19) at 10am PST On Facebook: Okan Sengun

Dear LGBT Asylum community, Please join us this Wednesday for the Family Violence Appellate Project (FVAP) discussion about housing and employment protection for domestic violence survivors. When: January 6th, 2021 from 10:00 - 11:30 am! ... Where: Join using this zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/99762341578 What: It is about domestic violence survivors’ rights, geared towards giving attorneys the resources they need to help their clients who find themselves in these situations. Our LGBT Asylum staff will be in attendance. They will also offer Free Continued Legal Education (CLEs) for attorneys. We hope to see all of you there!

We stand in solidarity with Nigeria in the effort to #EndSARS. It is disheartening to learn how worse LGBTQ+ Nigerians are being treated at this time, we believe that no one should have to live in fear because of their gender, sexuality, or status. It is our mission to support LGBTQ+ immigrants seeking asylum, which is why we support global LGBTQ+ issues such as #EndSARS.

There are new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) rules in place which may affect asylum seekers. If you or someone you know has been impacted these resources can help. Additional information is available on the USCIS I-589 website. Please go to the link in our profile to access all links provided.

Now you can access us more easily by clicking on the link in our bio to gain access to our services, join our mailing list, learn more about our organization, and more!

Welcome Jessica aboard to the team, we are excited to announce she will be our new Community Liaison! Jessica Skeva is a current San Francisco City College student working towards a degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Law & Society. She is a fellow in San Francisco Human Rights Commission’s Queer & Trans Youth United in Power Fellowship and has years of experience advocating for LGBTQ+ issues, unhoused people, and immigrants through her background as an activist and filmmaker. She feels it’s important to work towards creating social change in many ways, including policy and law. As Community Liaison at The LGBT Asylum Project, she is looking forward to building relationships across organizations to advance resources and support for the LGBT+ immigrant community.

A great read for a Tuesday evening! Thank you LGBTQ Nation for this beautiful article about our Executive Director, Okan Sengun, and the work of the LGBT Asylum Project.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that they will provide government-contracted telephonic interpreters at no cost to affirmative asylum applicants and interviews to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. To learn more about this recent update, check it out here: https://www.federalregister.gov//asylum-interview-interpre

Now more than ever, LGBTQ+ immigrants who are seeking asylum need our help! Donate today to the LGBT Asylum Project and be part of the change! https://www.lgbtasylumproject.org/donate.html

Today is the day! Join us Silicon Valley Pride Presents Fireside Chat with Okan Sengun! Join us this Thursday, October 1st, 7 - 7:30 PM Live Stream.... Check it out here: bit.ly.svpride-facebook

Why we should vote YES on Prop C:

Join us today September 30 at 6 PM for an LGBTQ+ Virtual Town Hall and learn how you can help build more equitable political representation and civic engagement in San Francisco You can join us via zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82634583617#success or on Facebook live

It is significant that our LGBT community and allies to vote this year on November 3rd! Check out: https://www.eqca.org/elections to find polling places, resources, and more! ... #yourvoicematters #VOTE #becounted

Hello LGBT Asylum Project Community, It is important to make sure that you are counted for the 2020 Census. Be counted here: https://2020census.gov/en.html... #WillBeCounted

Hi there, here is a good watch for you this weekend: How Trans and Gender Non-conforming immigrants can find support to take action if they become a victim to a hate crime https://www.facebook.com/okansengun/videos/10164439912790078/?extid=ubSueNNc0zvZ3JEH&d=n