Dear Friend,
Just over two years ago, as the United States was finalizing its withdrawal from Afghanistan, we watched in horror as Taliban rule took over… knowing that the Taliban’s persecution of LGBTQ people is vicious and relentless.
With the imminent threat of violence and death to LGBTQ Afghans, Immigration Equality and our allies sprang to action to find routes of safety for our community.
Since November 2021, we have communicated with hundreds of LGBTQ Afghans.
For months, we partnered closely with the U.S. State Department and the Canadian government. Our attorneys found, vetted, and referred dozens of queer and trans people from Afghanistan who were eligible for relocation to Canada.
Over the past year and a half, we have also successfully provided direct legal representation and other support in order to resettle nearly 40 LGBTQ Afghan refugees and their immediate family members to Canada!
We are actively working to resettle another 20 individuals and family members, almost half of whom have already been approved by Canada for resettlement.
Despite these remarkable successes, the fight to protect LGBTQ Afghans is far from over. With your support, we will commit ourselves to finding additional pathways to safety for as many Afghan refugees as we can.
Every week, we hear from the LGBTQ Afghans we were able to help evacuate to Canada. Their expressions of relief and joy in their new lives are truly moving. They are safe. They have a community. They have a future.
We could not have done this without people like you, who stepped up during this time of crisis. Thank you, Friend, for being there for LGBTQ Afghans.
In solidarity,
Bridget Crawford, Director of Law and Policy
Immigration Equality
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