Supporting Caribbean LGBTQ+ immigrants to achieve safety, stability and live affirming lives in the USA.
Immigration Justice: LGBTQ+ Immigrant Empowerment Program
The ‘Immigration Justice: LGBTQ+ Immigrant Empowerment Program’ supports Caribbean LGBTQ+ immigrants navigating complex immigration systems. Since 2015, it has assisted over 600+ asylum seekers from countries like Haiti, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago in securing asylum in the U.S., thanks to partnerships with organizations such as the New York City Anti-Violence Project and Immigration Equality.
In 2024 alone, we provided vital legal services to 175+ migrants, all people of color, facing challenges like Title 42 impacts, anti-immigrant policies, and deportation threats. Many fled violence or political unrest, enduring anti-LGBTQ+ hate without human rights protection. They face lengthy waits for immigration hearings and risk unsafe deportation.
Our program fills a crucial gap for LGBTQ+ immigrants in New York City, who often lack family and community support. Many flee anti-LGBTQ+ violence or face family abandonment. We offer culturally and linguistically competent services, including assistance with asylum applications, gender-affirming IDs, legal name changes, housing, food, and healthcare, including sexual and trans healthcare. Our efforts have been a beacon of hope for those impacted by restrictive measures.
2025 Legislative Advocacy to Pass CARE4IF, Albany NY
2025 NYC Pride March
March to Protect Queer & Trans Asylum Seekers
On March 19, 2021 CEP held a rally and march at Foley Square in New York City in memory of Faby Federick
The event sought to demand the Biden-Harris administration keep its promises on the campaign trail to protect Black and all Queer and Trans asylum seekers. The rally was dedicated to Faby Federick, a trans woman who died by suicide on March 7, 2021. After years of exploitation in Costa Rica, Faby fled to America only to face homelessness in Los Angeles, a year in an ICE detention camp, and then a global pandemic, housing insecurity, and health problems shortly after arriving in NY. Despite all those obstacles and more, Faby remained determined, managing to learn English, prepare for the high school equivalency exam, befriend many, and train as a chef. Faby had big dreams of higher education, making political change, and starting a family. Tragically, their life was cut short.
Action endorsed by: Colectivo Intercultural TRANSgrediendo, Reclaim Pride Coalition, Rise and Resist, CosechaNYC, Lambda Legal, Impulse Group NYC, Black Legal Observer Coalition, Families For Freedom, and Freedom For Immigrants
Virtual Rally & Phone Zap to Protect Queer & Trans Immigrants
On January 22nd, 2021 CEP held a remote phone zap and virtual rally to activate the incoming Biden-Harris administration, calling upon them to execute the following within the first 100 days of taking office:
End the detention of Black queer and trans immigrants and Protect trans and queer Muslim migrants
Defund the police and begin the transition away from the prison industrial complex
Decriminalize border crossing, abolish ICE and #FreeThemAll from ICE facilities as a response to COVID-19 and its threat to people who are currently incarcerated
Empower and provide access to healthcare for LGBTQ+ immigrants through universal health care, education reform, and Include LGBTQ+ immigrants in the Biden-Harris administration Path to citizenship policy for 11 million undocumented people
Prioritize education that uplift the lives of trans women of color -- provide homes/resources/job opportunities, programs and education around trans identity, challenge religious or hateful speech etc., and don't just punish in the aftermath
Strengthen asylum laws, so that LGBTQ+ migrants who are fleeing discrimination and violence can get refuge in the US
Increase funding for youth education, support state-level legislation around LGBTQ+ rights, pronouns, and encourage education in religious spaces around sexuality and gender
The aim of the rally was to uplift LGBTQ+ migrant voices and protect queer lives, particularly the lives of Black and brown, trans, non-binary, and disabled folks. CEP called upon the Biden-Harris administration to challenge the country’s individualist, capitalistic, colonialist, and racist history in order to begin a long but fulfilling transformative process toward a just future. All of which while remembering the lives of those lost under the first Trump administration, and recalling the legacy of leaders of generations past who fought for liberation for queer and trans people, teaching us to stay strong in the face of hate and ignorance.
