LGBTQ Rights Are Immigrant Rights

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José Alonso Muñoz | jose@unitedwedream.org | (202) 810-0746
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Washington, D.C. – Today, ahead of National ‘Coming Out Day’ on October 11th, Democratic Presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, and Pete Buttigieg released comprehensive plans for LGBTQ people which outline specific policies to protect LGBTQ immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. This is in addition to plans released by Julián Castro, and Beto O’Rourke earlier this summer which specifically highlight the rights of LGBTQ immigrants. 

Some of the specifics in these plans include: 

  • Protecting LGBTQ Asylum Seekers and Refugees + Ending their Detention
  • Protecting and advocating for LGBTQ rights around the world 
  • Ensuring that  LGBTQ families are not discriminated against in the immigration system (i.e. in the adoption and citizenship process)

Adrian Reyna, Strategy Director of United We Dream Action, said: 

“Winning justice for LGBTQ people and immigrants is deeply intertwined. On the first day of Pride Month, Johana “Joa” Medina Leon, a transgender woman, died after six weeks of being held captive by ICE. Her death came a year after that of Roxsana Hernandez, another transgender asylum seeker held in ICE custody. 

LGBTQ immigrants deserve freedom, not concentration camps and jails, and we need leaders who are bold enough to fight for that. So long as LGBTQ people are persecuted around the world, we must give them a path to a new home and safety. Instead, under the Trump administration, LGBTQ immigrants have been caged and detained, and forced to wait in unknown countries where their safety is at risk.

We call on all presidential candidates to work to ensure all LGBTQ people are treated with respect and dignity. That includes LGBTQ people of color, LGBTQ youth, and LGBTQ immigrants. We call on all presidential candidates to adopt policies that welcome all immigrants, recognizing that LGBTQ immigrants are an especially vulnerable community, and enacting policies that allow people to be #FreeToMove, and #FreeToStay.”  

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United We Dream Action is the leading national network fighting for dignity and justice led by immigrant youth and allies. We are a dynamic community of thousands of immigrant youth nationwide who build independent political power for those directly impacted by injustice. We organize and take action to win victories so that all people can be safe and thrive.