Accra, Ghana – When Mr. B left Ghana in 2019 to seek refuge in the United States as a gay man, he embarked on a harrowing journey through over ten countries, facing different dangers at each step. Enduring the treacherous Darién Gap – known as the most dangerous land route for migrants – Mr. B faced not only the perils of the wilderness but also the threats posed by uniformed individuals who robbed and extorted him in nearly every country he passed through.
Throughout his journey, Mr. B had to hide not only his sexuality but also his identity as a black Muslim man. The challenges intensified as he arrived in the United States during a time when asylum-seekers were being turned away due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was detained and transferred to the Stewart Detention Facility in rural Georgia, where he faced unsanitary conditions and lack of personal protective equipment.
It wasn’t until a family friend’s intervention that Mr. B’s case was brought to the attention of organizations like the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights and the Envision Freedom Fund. With their help, he was able to secure his release from detention and begin the process of seeking asylum in the U.S.
After three and a half years of legal battles, Mr. B was finally granted asylum earlier this year. However, his journey is far from over as he now looks to obtain his commercial driver’s license to resume work as a truck driver. Claire Thomas, a lead professor at the Asylum Clinic at New York Law School, emphasized the importance of supporting migrants and asylum seekers like Mr. B by donating to bail bond funds and helping them connect with job opportunities.
As Mr. B settles into his new life in the U.S., he is eager to explore new opportunities, including dating and working freely without fear of persecution. Attending his first Pride celebration, he was struck by the sense of freedom and acceptance he experienced, contrasting it with the oppressive conditions back in Ghana.
Reflecting on his journey, Mr. B hopes that the world will continue to fight for the rights of queer individuals in places like Ghana, where their identities are criminalized and their lives are constantly at risk. He urges for greater awareness and support for those who, like him, have had to navigate a world where simply being who they are can mean facing grave dangers.