Hello,

In the world today, at least 60 countries have national laws criminalizing same-sex relations, and in 11 of these, it is punishable by death. Every year, thousands of LGBTQIA+ people seek humanitarian protection in the United States under asylum law. Hassim is one of these individuals. (His name has been changed to protect his identity.)

Hassim is a 23-year-old LGBTQIA+ asylum-seeker from Guinea, a country in West Africa, where it is illegal to be gay. When Hassim was discovered with his long-time boyfriend, they were beaten nearly to death by community members. Hassim's boyfriend was apprehended by the police and imprisoned. With the help of his cousin, Hassim managed to escape and get on a plane to South America. He made the long journey to the United States' Southern border, hoping for protection as a gay man in the United States.

A few months ago, Hassim was attending a regular ICE check-in, something many asylum seekers with a case in the immigration court are required to do, when he was taken into custody and later held at the Moshannon detention facility.

Detaining individuals and expediting their hearing date has been an ongoing tactic by the current administration - not allowing individuals sufficient time to prepare their asylum case with an attorney. Devastatingly, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Hassim lost his asylum case while in detention. In detention, asylum cases move fast. In 5 hours of deliberation - reading testimonies from Hassim's mother and cousin, psychotherapist, Asylum Pride House staff, a country conditions expert, and a 15-page declaration from Hassim himself - the judge decided that Hassim's testimony was not credible, that he was not “gay enough.” This is true for so many queer asylum seekers coming from countries where they must stay deeply closeted to survive. A judge looking for relationship history, photos, texts, or Western presentation of queerness may determine that an LGBTQIA+ asylum seeker does not qualify for protection.

But the fight does not stop here. Asylum Pride House is helping with the filing of a habeas corpus petition to try to get Hassim out of detention. Then Hassim's queer-led legal team will take Hassim's case to the Board of Immigration Appeals. This is where we need your support.

This GoFundMe will support Hassim's legal team by raising $5000 to help cover the legal cost of preparing his representation in front of the Board of Immigration Appeals and the trial. We are collaborating with Asylum Pride House and his Legal Team to provide maximum ongoing support to Hassim.

Hassim deserves the freedom to love who he loves and be who he is. He deserves to follow his dreams and live a life of joy. Returning to his country of origin, as an LGBTQIA+ person, would, in his words, "end his life." Any donation, no matter the size, will help.

If you cannot donate, please consider sharing in your network. Thank you!

Please do what you can as soon as you can.

Thank you,

Laura Hawley, LCSW