NCLR filed a friend of the court brief on behalf of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) in this case involving the Florida Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) blanket policies of denying transition-related care to civil detainees.

In 2003 Vicky came to the U.S. seeking asylum from Mexico. She had lived through abuse and violence because of her gender identity and sexual orientation in her home country. In the U.S., Vicky was working as a farm laborer, where she again faced severe anti-LGBTQ harassment. NCLR has stood beside her in every step of the way, first securing her asylum status in June 2006, and then achieving positive changes in her workplace.

Silah came to NCLR in 2013 after years of fear and abuse. Born in Mexico, Silah was able to escape terrible violence in her country of origin, where she was repeatedly threatened and harassed because of her gender expression and identity.  In 2014, with the help of our Immigration Project, Silah became the 441st NCLR client to be granted asylum.

At just 12 years old, Ariana found herself living on the streets of El Salvador when her mother kicked her out of their home after Ariana told her she is transgender. To survive, Ariana was forced to become a sex worker. She fled to the United States/Mexico Border and told immigration officials she was in danger and needed help.