Sexuality-Based Asylum Seekers’ Experience in their Case hearing Interviews in the United Stat

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This policy brief analyzes the interview experience of LGBTQ asylum seekers during the affirmative asylum process under the authority of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (under the Department of Homeland Security). During the interview with an asylum official, queer asylum claimants are expected to establish credibility of their sexuality or gender identity. A lack of understand of the dynamics and risks associated with persons making claims based on their sexual orientation or gender identity results in a significant number of cases being rejected solely because of the “unfulfilled” credibility requirement; which in turn leads many applicants to perform stereotypical aspects of their identity during the interview to appear more convincing. After identifying the main issues with the asylum process, this policy brief addresses the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with three recommendations that seek to better assist LGBTQ+ individuals in putting forward their asylum claims.

By: Julius Litinskas

Published on November 16, 2020

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