Black and Trans Individuals Seek Asylum in Canada Amid U.S. Violence

Concerns over safety for Black and transgender individuals in the United States are prompting many to seek asylum in Canada. This shift in migration is highlighted by the experiences of individuals like Zara Sluys X, who felt compelled to flee following inflammatory remarks made by conservative commentator Michael Knowles at the 2023 Conservative Political Action Conference.

Sluys X, a biracial Black woman, has faced persistent racism and violence throughout her life, including a traumatic incident in which she was shot in the head with a BB gun as a child. “The doctors say if he had been a step closer, the BB pellet would have penetrated my skull and killed me,” she recounted. After relocating to British Columbia with her husband, who is a Canadian citizen, Sluys X’s situation worsened due to domestic violence. Now residing in transitional housing, she is preparing to apply for asylum in Canada, citing the United States’ increasing danger for Black and transgender individuals.

The urgency of this situation is underscored by alarming statistics. In 2022, at least 32 trans and gender non-conforming people were murdered in the United States, with a significant portion being Black trans women. According to a 2021 study from the University of California, Los Angeles, transgender individuals are four times more likely than their cisgender counterparts to face violent victimization.

Growing Advocacy for Trans Asylum Seekers

In response to escalating violence and discriminatory legislation, activists are advocating for expanded asylum options for transgender individuals. Cait Glasson, an Ontario-based LGBTQ2S+ advocate, initiated a parliamentary petition in 2023 urging the Canadian government to allow asylum claims from trans and non-binary individuals facing persecution in their home countries. The petition, which gathered over 160,400 signatures, highlighted the legislative threats in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Glasson, who is assisting Sluys X with her asylum application, expressed concerns that Canada may deny asylum claims to trans individuals similarly to how Jewish refugees were treated during World War II. “They went back to Europe, where a third of them were killed in the Holocaust,” she noted, emphasizing the urgent need for protection.

The Canadian government has yet to make a formal response regarding the asylum process for trans individuals. A spokesperson for Lena Metlege Diab, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, stated that the ministry does not collect statistics on asylum seekers based on gender or sexual orientation.

Barriers to Seeking Asylum

Despite the challenges, Sluys X believes she may be the first Black trans American to apply for asylum in Canada, though she is not alone. A report by Reuters indicated that 245 of the 55,000 asylum claims filed in the first half of 2025 originated from Americans, including at least two trans individuals. A recent court ruling in Canada granted a stay of deportation for Angel Jenkel, a non-binary American, due to the failure of immigration officials to consider the current conditions affecting LGBTQ individuals in the United States.

The environment for Black and trans individuals in the U.S. has deteriorated significantly. Victoria E. Thomas, an assistant professor at Simon Fraser University, pointed out that systemic issues such as police brutality and anti-Black legislation pose ongoing threats. Since January 2023, there have been 43 federal bills and executive orders introduced that adversely affect Black people, alongside nearly 1,000 anti-trans bills proposed across 49 states.

Canada, while not free from issues like police brutality and anti-Black racism, offers some protections that the United States lacks, particularly concerning hate speech and gun control. Thomas highlighted that the U.S. legal framework allows for hate speech, which emboldens discriminatory groups. The prevalence of gun violence also places marginalized groups at heightened risk.

Future of Asylum in Canada

Legal experts like A. Connie Campbell, who specializes in LGBTQ2S+ immigration, note that while there is growing interest in seeking asylum, the process remains complicated. Applicants must demonstrate they face persecution, such as denial of services or physical harm, which can complicate their claims.

Campbell expressed concerns that Canadian public sentiment may not support mass asylum programs for trans Americans, especially in light of recent federal immigration cuts. “Open-ended programs are eventually politically unpopular or not feasible,” she remarked, indicating a potential barrier to widespread acceptance of asylum claims.

As discussions around asylum continue, Sluys X’s experience sheds light on the urgent need for supportive policies. “Is there ever going to be a means that my people can be recognized in needing refuge?” she questioned, reflecting the deep-rooted history of Black asylum seekers in Canada. The plight of individuals like Sluys X highlights the increasing urgency for governments to respond to the challenges faced by marginalized communities in the U.S.