United States moves to protect transgender immigrants from abuse

The United States will honor transgender immigrants with the right to be housed in either male or female designated illegal immigrant detention centers. The decision comes after news has surfaced about numerous cases of sexual abuse and physical abuse against transgender detainees. Transgender immigrants will now be permitted to choose which facilities they will live in based on their gender identity.

The new policy was announced on Monday. Immigration officers will be trained on how to respectfully question immigrant detainees regarding their gender identity for the purpose of carrying out the new policy effectively.

The issue of transgender immigrants being mistreated and facing harassment at all-male facilities has been discussed by lesbian, gay bisexual or transgender political groups for a number of years. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, the new policy will help keep illegal transgender immigrants safe from abuse.

For every 500 detained immigrants, approximately one is transgender. In fact, it is not uncommon for many transgender immigrants to come to the United States in order to seek asylum from discrimination in their countries of origin.

However, this is not always the most viable way to gain asylum, and many of the hopeful immigrants end up getting arrested and detained in various immigration facilities. Unfortunately, the discrimination at these facilities is often worse than what the individuals faced in their home countries. If you or your loved one is a transgender immigrant in Florida facing issues relating to harassment at an immigration facility, legal options may be available to put a stop to the abuse.

Source: International Business Times, “Immigration Reform 2015: Transgender Immigrants Can Now Be Housed In Detention Facilities Matching Gender Identity,” Philip Ross, accessed June 29, 2015