International Transgender Day of Visibility
Today, on the International Transgender Day of Visibility, and always, RMIAN honors and celebrates transgender people in the U.S. and around the world. RMIAN will continue its fight for justice for transgender individuals, including asylum seekers who have fled persecution in their home countries because of their gender identity or gender expression, only to find themselves imprisoned in the U.S. by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Last year, when ICE began relocating transgender asylum seekers from around the country to the Aurora immigration detention center, RMIAN worked around the clock to ensure every transgender person had pro bono legal representation, access to social services, and medical care. Today, RMIAN reaffirms its deep commitment to advocate for and protect the rights of transgender immigrants and the transgender community-at-large.
Client Story: Mariela
Mariela faced much adversity in Cuba due to her transgender identity. Discrimination and transphobia on the part of Cuba’s society and government led to physical abuse and incarceration on multiple occasions. Fearing for her life, Mariela fled Cuba and began the arduous journey towards freedom in the United States. After months of traveling, sleeping on the streets, experiencing hunger, and encountering other dangers, Mariela arrived.
However, Mariela was swiftly placed in removal proceedings and transferred to the Aurora detention center. While in detention, she experienced extreme stress. She reports that she was repeatedly denied medical care by a facility that seemed to her to be unable and unwilling to meet her needs. But she was not alone
Upon arrival at the ICE detention center, Mariela was paired with two passionate pro bono attorneys from RMIAN’s network of volunteers and a social worker from RMIAN’s Social Service Project. Together, Mariela’s dedicated team fought for her freedom from detention and for access to the care she needed. With RMIAN’s support, she was released from detention and found shelter and safety with family. Mariela’s RMIAN pro bono attorneys and social worker continue to fight for her right to stay in the United States and pursue a safe and joyful life.
When I was with [my RMIAN social worker] or my lawyers, I felt safe. I felt confident. I always said that with the team next me, everything was going to flow and everything was going to be okay... they were my protectors"