ABSTRACT
The complexity with which U.S. Immigration laws, policies, and practices impact LGBTQ people and families is important to understand. In more than 70 countries around the globe it remains against the law to be out about who you are and whom you love if you are LGBTQ. People experience discrimination, harassment, and even imprisonment because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. This forces thousands of LGBTQ people to flee from violence and persecution worldwide. They travel to the United States in search of safe haven. Unfortunately, the current ways in which U.S. immigration agencies operate do not adequately take into account the unique circumstances that LGBTQ immigrants have survived and the complex web of barriers which may prevent them from navigating the path toward asylum, refugee status, permanent residency, and/or citizenship successfully. A thoughtful and thorough review of policies and practices illustrates multiple opportunities to reduce inequities and support culturally competent and inclusive practices for LGBTQ immigrants across status.
