The "American Dream" remains just that–a dream.

Update: Damion Is Going Home — Because This Country No Longer Offers Refuge

Hi everyone,

Back in 2019, we created this fundraiser to help our friend Damion Turner — a 27-year-old Black, queer asylum seeker from Jamaica — survive and build a new life in the United States. Many of you gave generously at the time, and your support made all the difference. You helped fund rent, groceries, education, legal support, and a sense of safety in an incredibly dangerous and uncertain time.

Today, we’re writing to share a hard truth: Damion is leaving the U.S. and returning to Jamaica — not by choice, but out of necessity.

A System That Was Never Safe Has Become Actively Hostile

This is not the ending we hoped for — but it's the one the current political moment demands.

Damion arrived at the U.S.–Mexico border in 2019 seeking asylum from life-threatening persecution in Jamaica for being queer and non-binary. They believed, like so many others, that America might offer protection, stability, and a chance to heal.

But five years later, we are facing a grim reality: The U.S. is no longer a safe place to seek refuge — especially not for Black, queer, undocumented immigrants.

Despite years of work and resilience, Damion still has no green card, no path to protection, and no peace.

So Damion has made the courageous decision to leave — before the system can deport them to somewhere even worse.

This is not giving up, it’s a survival decision.

Damion is choosing to go home with:

Jamaica will not be easy — but starting over there, with community support and a small safety net, is safer than remaining in limbo here, where the risks grow by the day.

A Reminder of Where This Started – Beyonce's Story

“Hi there. My name is Damion Turner. I am a 27-year-old non-binary queer person (they/them) from Jamaica (otherwise known as Beyoncé there). I was thrown out of my home at age 13 for being queer and spent over 10 years homeless in Kingston. I survived by living in storm drains with other queer youth — the ‘Gully Queens’ — many of whom have been murdered simply for existing.

In March 2019, I came to the U.S. legally through the border to seek asylum. I’ve worked hard to survive, study, and grow. But it’s been hard. And while I’m proud to be here, I never expected this fight to be so long, so cruel, or so uncertain.” (continued below)

What We’re Asking Now: $5,000 to Support a Safe Exit

The original fundraiser raised $20,360 in 2019, and every dollar has since been used for:

Now, we are starting a new fundraiser and asking for $5,000 more to help Damion return home safely and rebuild with dignity.

This new goal will cover:

This isn’t the ending any of us imagined — but it can still be one rooted in care, community, and respect.

If you gave before: thank you. You helped Damion survive five of the hardest years imaginable in this country.

If you can give again: please do. Let’s help Damion walk away from this chapter not empty-handed — but held, seen, and supported.

With gratitude and love,

Sophia (on behalf of Damion)

The Original Story in Full:

Meet Bey

Hi there. My name is Damion Turner. I am a 27-year-old non-binary queer person (they/them) from Jamaica (otherwise known as Beyonce there). I’m now living in Brooklyn. Currently, I am awaiting pending asylum in the US. I have a good immigration attorney who is working on my case. I am also working on getting my high school diploma and am a member of the LGBTQIA organization Queer Detainee Empowerment Project (Q.D.E.P). I am unable to work at the moment, but my work authorization is pending for soon in 2020 (fingers crossed). So I’m reaching out here for some financial help as I work on my asylum case.

As a Black, non-binary, queer, asylum seeker, I'll honestly say that it's been a struggle to make it this far. I’m proud and grateful to be here now, and I’m hopeful that more of my goals and dreams will be possible here.

I was born in Jamaica and at age 13 I was thrown out of my home and community for being queer. I then had to start living on the streets and was homeless for over 10 years. I had to work very hard just to survive.

If you don’t know, Jamaica is a beautiful country, yes, but can be really dangerous for all queer/non-binary/trans people. Like me, there are many other queer youth that are rejected by families due to our sexual orientations and are forced to live in Kingston’s storm drains and on the street. Our lives were being constantly threatened. Several of my close friends have been murdered, some publicly, for being trans or queer.

You can see more of our story featured in these articles and documentaries:

Featured in the Jamaica episode of GAYCATION (with Ellen Page & Ian Daniel) docu-tv series

Huffington Post: These Are The Fearless LGBTQ Youth Who Live In Jamaica’s Sewers

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/christo-geoghegan-gully-queen-photos_n_57c09c34e4b085c1ff29586f

VICE Young and Gay in Jamaica

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILXVpFQVEbw

On the streets, I was often a voice for the group...a leader and a caretaker. I loved that I was able to be with and help my girls, but as you can see, I just didn’t think I would be able to survive or thrive in that environment. So my only option was to get out and to go through the asylum process. Also, I knew I had the potential to do much more with my life if I was given some opportunities for a good education and to make it.

In March 2019, I was legally presented at the Mexico border where I applied for my asylum based on LGBTQ persecution in my country. However, due to the Trump Administration's policy towards immigrants, asylum in the US has become a very difficult process. And shortly after my arrival, Covid19 hit NYC and postponed my asylum court hearing and created other unforeseen hurdles for me.

Since arriving in New York, I have been working hard studying and taking classes to get my GED (expecting to receive my diploma in September). My other goal then is to further my education by working on a course to become a health provider and help others using my personal experience and past occupation as a peer educator.

With so much uncertainty for everyone during the Coronavirus, we as "Undocumented Immigrants" have been plunged into even harder devastation. This status in itself doesn't allow me to access or obtain any financial government aid or benefits and the City of New York. My work authorization which was initially scheduled to be delivered within three to six months has now been extending to eight to ten months despite the fact that I paid four hundred and ten dollars ($410) to expedite the process. The Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) has canceled all their Master Court hearings and is yet to reschedule anymore court dates. But I’m hopeful all of this will get moving again soon.

I’m asking for some assistance now to help sustain me while I work on my courses until I get my official work permit and an official court date for asylum.

I've worked so hard to get here. I really believe with my continued hard work, perseverance, and open heart that I can make a new, safe life here in the US and that won't have to return back to the streets of Jamaica.

My goals and a desire for change are what's keeping me strong. I also wish to be a good example for other Black, queer/non-binary/undocumented immigrants...living a life of freedom to be our true authentic selves.

A note from the organizers (Sophia, Danny, Ian)

FYI **Danny Miller manages all donations from gofundme and money for Damion while Damion awaits their ss # and permit.

We've been working with Damion over the past year. We have been helping to raise and manage money for them and help with their asylum status and needs there. Damion has a strong plan in place for his future. Now we are asking for financial assistance to keep them grounded and secure through the next year.

Damion always has had practical goals, works hard towards them, and has been able to meet them. The money we have helped raise in the past has been put towards housing, food, clothes, and education.

We have just secured Damion a nice room in Brooklyn with money raised.

We are now raising money to keep them stable there for up to a year while they work on studies, as their asylum case is in process.

Thank you for any and all assistance and love you can give!

Love Beyonce and team