Many LGBTQ asylum seekers enter the United States via the southern US/Mexico border. This Workshop will discuss the different ways that the U.S. government has excluded LGBTQ asylum seekers in recent years at the border, including: expedited removal, reinstated removal, MPP, and Title 42 expulsions. We will be discussing the potentially fatal asylum bar of “firm resettlement,” as many LGBTQ asylum seekers entering through the US/Mexico Border will be entering after significant time in Mexico and often residency. The workshop will briefly provide updates about what is happening now at the border, and how those policies affect LGBTQ people trying to access the US asylum system. The speakers will then explain how to support LGBTQ migrants including, how to evaluate paperwork a client has, how to identify the policy that affected your potential client encountered, screening for all immigration options outside of asylum and tips on how to prepare your case with care to avoid any unintentional consequences. As many LGBTQ asylum seekers are sent from the border to detention we will discuss how to advocate for LGBTQ clients in detention. Finally, the workshop will discuss how these policies disproportionately affect Black-identified asylum seekers. [If applicable] The workshop will discuss the recent “streamlining” rule, and the huge impacts on asylum seekers entering through the US/Mexico border.

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