LGBTQ+ asylum seekers detail horrific abuse under ICE detention

Among the migrants fleeing general political violence and economic insecurity, LGBTQ+ asylum seekers are often escaping from places where their identities are dangerous in and of themselves. Yet a new report has revealed the dehumanizing conditions LGBTQ+ asylum seekers experience upon arrival to the US.

The recent report, “No Human Being Should Be Held Here,” was jointly commissioned by advocacy groups Immigration Equality, the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), and Human Rights First. The report interviewed 41 LGBTQ+ and HIV+ detainees and former detainees under the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Of those who participated in the study, one third experienced some form of sexual abuse, physical assaults or sexual harassment while in detainment. But nearly all participants reported abuse directed at their identity, including verbal or physical abuse that was homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic or racist in nature.

The conditions of the facilities themselves, along with the abusive environment, fostered both physical and mental health problems. “It was completely disgusting,” said Nikolai, who was detained under CBP. “My first impression of the democratic country United States is that asylum seekers are treated as second class.”

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Nikolai described the detention center as “like a zoo” and witnessed upon arrival signs on cells outing detainees as “HIV,” “GAY,” and “TRANSGENDER” in big letters.

In place of healthcare, participants reported punishment received for complaints. Belinda, a nonbinary detainee, developed a cough during their detainment but did not report it after they were told, “You can’t tell the staff you’re sick or you’ll be placed in the pit [i.e., solitary confinement].”

Along these same lines, half of participants reported new or increased mental health symptoms, such as hives, panic attacks, mental health crises, flashbacks, and self-harm. Half also reported being placed in solitary confinement. The majority of participants experienced inadequate or denied medical care, including the majority of those living with HIV.

“LGBTQ+ people frequently come to the United States fleeing severe violence and danger,” said NIJC Director of Policy Nayna Gupta. “Instead of providing refuge and safety, the United States subjects them to conditions in immigration detention facilities that aggravate their past trauma, neglect their medical needs, and expose them to discrimination and violence.” 

“I want this report to help people understand the hidden reality of immigration detention centers,” said Ariel, a gay HIV+ man who was detained in multiple centers over a year. “In the outside world, they’re presented as humane, but for me, they were like a lion’s den. I still have nightmares about what I went through there.”