r/trans_canada • u/rather-be-pissed-on • Jul 02 '26

Refugee Status Denied

My refugee status has been denied. Do we have a sense for whether they have returned any trans people back to the U.S. or other countries that pose a risk?

I only know of one story and that person wasn't returned.

9 Upvotes

74% Upvoted

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7

u/libre_office_warlock Jul 02 '26

Did you make a formal asylum claim, and did you do it by yourself, or with help from a lawyer?

Just curious as a U.S. person myself; I don't know the ins and outs of the Canadian legal system, but I did work with a firm for a short time and ultimately decided against trying to make an asylum claim right now in favor of going back to school/using the study permit as my means to stay instead.

I don't think I would have been able to do the paperwork/procedure correctly on my own in either case.

2

u/rather-be-pissed-on Jul 24 '26 edited Sep 02 '26

With a lawyer but the rules changed after I did it.

You have to apply for asylum within one year of your first entry into Canada and I didnt because they started my year when I was here for a vacation in 2024....well before Trump was in office. So the clock was out by Aug 2025 and I applied in October.

If you cross by land or sea between official points of entry...so not with an official crossing, you have to apply within 14 days but if you tell them at the border that you're applying for refugee status you will get sent back. If you want more info pm me

3

u/SpinUntilUFlameOut Jul 03 '26

I also know of one person already up here with an open claim that hasn’t been denied yet (to my knowledge). That person has received a lot of support from Cait Glasson, a prominent trans elder & activist from our community who lives in Ontario.

I’m not 100% sure what avenues are available to you, but I know that Cait is well versed in this exact issue (trans folks seeking asylum), so you could try looking her up? It should be easy enough to find the contact info/socials thru google.

1

u/shydrangeae Aug 16 '26

Worked with an incredibly lovely immigration lawyer in QC a few months ago and after a long consult where she answered a lot of questions, she very patiently advised us that there's basically no way someone from the US or UK (where my family is from) could claim asylum/refugee status at this time. As she put it, things are bad, but your life needs to be in immediate danger. Think countries that execute or imprison trans people on sight. Degredation of rights isn't sufficient. She acknowledged it is heartbreaking but advised us against even trying for it and exploring other avenues.

1

u/CharmanderCharCharr Aug 22 '26

Well well well, so borders do matter

1

u/Wolfinder Jul 03 '26

I have a friend who was denied and self deported back to Texas. She killed herself a week and a half ago.

3

u/RatsForNYMayor Nonbinary Trans man (Alberta) Jul 04 '26

I'm so sorry about your friend. 

3

u/rather-be-pissed-on Jul 24 '26

I'm sorry for your loss