Our Moment for Reform: Immigration and Transgender People

Among a transgender population that is already marginalized, transgender immigrants face even higher risks of discrimination and violence in employment, housing, health care, when seeking services, and even in their own home. Trans immigrants often have limited support systems, and find themselves shut out of jobs or education that could provide them with better opportunities. They are commonly denied the right to seek asylum or to be sponsored for lawful permanent residence by a partner. When placed in immigration detention, they frequently faced inhumane and dangerous conditions. This report describes these challenges in greater detail to aid advocacy organizations and policy makers in considering trans immigrants’ rights in their work toward Comprehensive Immigration Reform.