Renee Nicole Good’s death sparks surge in LGBTQ+ Americans seeking asylum in Canada

A surge in online searches by LGBTQ+ Americans seeking information on claiming asylum in Canada has followed the killing of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old lesbian poet and mother of three, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on 7 January. Good, widely remembered as “extremely compassionate”, was killed during an encounter that has sparked nationwide outrage and renewed fears among queer Americans about their safety.

Data from Google Trends and reports from immigration lawyers indicate that queries such as “LGBTQ+ asylum Canada” and “trans asylum Canada” have spiked dramatically in recent days. This pattern echoes similar surges seen in early 2025, when anti-LGBTQ+ policies and executive orders in the United States prompted thousands to explore options for resettlement north of the border. Canadian immigration specialists confirm that they are once again fielding inquiries from Americans worried about escalating hostility, restrictions on gender-affirming care, and the rise in hate-related incidents.

The killing of Good has become a flashpoint for these anxieties. Advocacy groups argue that her death underscores a climate of fear for marginalised communities, particularly trans individuals, who already face systemic discrimination and violence. According to GLAAD, more than 900 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents were recorded in the US during 2024, averaging 2.5 per day. For many, the tragedy has reinforced the perception that protections are eroding and that seeking refuge abroad may be the only viable option.

Canada’s asylum framework recognises persecution based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and programmes such as the Rainbow Refugee Assistance Partnership have supported hundreds of LGBTQ+ refugees since 2011. Legal experts caution, however, that claiming asylum requires demonstrating a well-founded fear of persecution, and the process can be lengthy and complex.