Trans American, Veronica Clifford-Carlos, challenges Dutch asylum rejection in landmark case
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A 28-year-old trans woman from California has launched a legal battle in the Netherlands after her asylum application was rejected, marking the first case of its kind in Dutch courts.
Veronica Clifford-Carlos, a visual artist, fled the United States citing fears for her safety under the administration of President Donald Trump. Her legal team argues that recent US policies have severely undermined protections for trans individuals, making the country unsafe for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) denied Clifford-Carlos’s application, maintaining that the United States is considered a safe country for all social groups. However, LGBT Asylum Support, the advocacy group backing her case, contends that this assessment fails to reflect the deteriorating conditions faced by trans and queer people in the United States.
They cite executive orders banning trans individuals from military service, restrictions on gender-affirming healthcare for youth, and the erasure of inclusive language in government documents.
“There is no official report on the current situation in the United States,” said Sandro Kortekaas, chair of LGBT Asylum Support. “Yet the FBI has reported a rise in hate crimes, and we’re seeing more Americans from the LGBTQ+ community seeking refuge in the Netherlands”.
The case, being heard in an Amsterdam court, could set a legal precedent for future asylum claims from LGBTQ+ individuals fleeing Western democracies. Clifford-Carlos’s lawyers argue that the severity of discrimination in the United States amounts to persecution, a key criterion for asylum under international law.
A ruling is expected within four to six weeks. Meanwhile, LGBT Asylum Support continues to assist around 20 other trans Americans with pending asylum claims, highlighting a growing trend of LGBTQ+ migration to Europe in search of safety and recognition.
