Asylum — LGBT
Believe or not, political asylum is NOT limited to political persecution. It extends protection to homosexuals, lesbians and transsexuals, if they have been the victims of persecution in their native countries.
There is no such thing as “gay” asylum. Rather, every person who has suffered persecution on account of being different or not fitting in with his or her cultural norms, is entitled to seek refuge and protection under the laws of asylum in the United States. Included among these groups are members of the gay community – gay, lesbian and transgender – who suffer tremendously in their countries of origin and who are not protected by the authorities.
Persecution against sexual minorities is a tragically routine occurrence throughout the world. That’s why I have a special interest in the developing area of gender-related claims (gay/lesbian/transsexual/domestic violence); I’ve always been interested in issues involving persecution, be it political or gender- based.
I work primarily and have vast experience and familiarity with political conditions in all areas of Latin America.
If you believe you have been persecuted because of your sexual orientation, you may be eligible to apply for political asylum in the United States.
My greatest triumph is turning a client’s pain into the achievement of legal status. Years of shame and guilt, memories of terrible humiliation and pain, while difficult to recount, are the pathway to achieving the right to live legally in the United States. I begin a case with an individual who believes he or she has little or no self-worth, and see a totally different person at the end of the process, who now feels pride, achievement, and is working towards the eventual goal of U.S. citizenship. To me, this is the essence of being a great lawyer – empowering my clients.
I take particular interest in representing those persons who have never had anyone advocate for them. I understand the difficulty of addressing difficult and intimate topics, which perhaps have never been openly discussed. I understand that the asylum process requires a great deal of compassion and understanding, yet that the focus must always be on the legal issues involved, and the constantly evolving case law. Asylum law has always been my first love, as it involves real people, real situations, and the opportunity to make huge and positive differences in the lives of the individuals who are my clients.