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

The recent rhetoric surrounding transgender rights in the United States has prompted individuals like Zara Sluys X to seek asylum in Canada, highlighting the growing concern for the safety of Black and transgender people in America. Following a speech by conservative commentator Michael Knowles at the 2023 Conservative Political Action Conference, where he called for the “eradication of transgenderism,” Sluys X felt compelled to leave the U.S. She has faced severe anti-Black racism throughout her life, including a traumatic incident in her childhood where she was shot in the head with a BB gun.

In January, Sluys X relocated to British Columbia with her husband, who was sponsoring her immigration. Unfortunately, their relationship deteriorated, and she now resides in transitional housing for domestic violence victims. As violence against transgender individuals escalates in the U.S., Sluys X is preparing her application for asylum, citing the unsafe conditions for Black and transgender individuals in America.

In 2022, at least 32 trans and gender non-conforming individuals were murdered in the U.S., predominantly through gun violence. This number likely underrepresents the true extent of the violence, as many victims faced misgendering by both police and family members. Notably, over half of the counted victims were Black trans women. Research conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles indicates that transgender individuals are four times more likely than their cisgender counterparts to experience violent victimization.

Calls for Asylum Rights in Canada

Recognizing the urgent need for trans asylum seekers, Cait Glasson, an Ontario-based LGBTQ2S+ advocate, initiated an online parliamentary petition in early 2023. The petition calls on the Canadian government to extend asylum rights to trans and non-binary individuals facing discriminatory legislation in their home countries. Specifically, she cited the U.S. and the U.K. for their introduction of such legislation. The petition garnered over 160,400 signatures, making it the third most signed petition at that time.

Glasson, who is assisting Sluys X with her application, expressed concern that Canada might deny asylum to trans refugees, reminiscent of the treatment of Jewish refugees in 1939. “They went back to Europe, where a third of them were killed in the Holocaust,” she noted.

Requests for comment from the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Lena Metlege Diab, were not met with an interview opportunity. Instead, a spokesperson provided a statement outlining the asylum process for individuals crossing the Canadian-U.S. border. The statement emphasized that the ministry does not collect statistics on asylum seekers based on gender or sexual orientation, making it challenging to gauge the scale of the issue.

Sluys X believes she may be the first Black transgender American to apply for asylum in Canada, but she is not alone. Reports indicate that in the first half of 2025, 245 asylum claims out of 55,000 were made by Americans, the highest figure recorded since 2019, including at least two transgender individuals.

Earlier this summer, a Canadian Federal Court judge ordered a stay of deportation for Angel Jenkel, a non-binary American, on the grounds that immigration officials had failed to consider the current conditions for LGBTQ individuals in the U.S.

Ongoing Challenges and Legislative Landscape

According to Victoria E. Thomas, an assistant professor at Simon Fraser University, the historical context for Black individuals in the U.S. reveals a persistent climate of danger, particularly for those who are both Black and transgender. “It has never been safe to be Black, let alone Black and trans,” she stated.

Since January, numerous federal bills and executive orders have been introduced in the U.S. that negatively impact Black communities. These include efforts to eliminate environmental protections, dismantle federal diversity programs, and deploy the National Guard in predominantly Black areas like Washington, D.C. Furthermore, nearly 1,000 anti-trans bills have been introduced across 49 states, with 122 already passed.

Thomas highlighted the stark differences between the U.S. and Canada regarding hate speech and gun legislation. In the U.S., the protection of free speech extends to hate speech, enabling groups like the KKK to operate. Conversely, Canada enforces stricter hate speech laws and has fewer firearms, contributing to a safer environment for marginalized communities.

As legal hurdles loom for asylum seekers, A. Connie Campbell, a Vancouver-based lawyer specializing in LGBTQ2S+ immigration, noted that only one successful asylum claim from a transgender American has been recorded so far. Applicants must demonstrate they face persecution in their home country, which includes political or legal repercussions due to their identity.

While Canada has historically welcomed Black asylum seekers, Sluys X expressed concern over the current political climate. “Is there ever going to be a means that my people can be recognized in needing refuge with the help of the government?” she questioned.

As the situation develops, the plight of Black and transgender individuals in the U.S. continues to raise urgent questions about safety, asylum, and the responsibilities of neighboring countries to protect those fleeing violence and discrimination.