Luis, a 24-year-old gay man from Mexico, suffered years of discrimination, harassment, ostracism, and exclusion from school, sports, his family, and peers because of his sexual orientation. Rather than protect him, police officers in Mexico physically assaulted Luis on numerous occasions. In August, 2003, Luis left Mexico seeking safety in the United States.

On October 13, 2003, Mariella, a transgender woman, and her wife, Edit, were attacked in broad daylight on the streets of Lima, Peru by a gang of youth who beat them with stones while yelling disparaging homophobic comments. After months of continued harassment and threats, the couple fled Peru seeking safety in the United States. Through the support of pro bono counsel David Augustine and NCLR interpreter Noemi Calonje, Mariella and Edit were granted asylum on September 9, 2004.