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Facing Uncertainty, Caribbean LGBTQ Immigrants Find Support and Solidarity

In response to anticipated immigration challenges under the new Trump administration, the Caribbean Equality Project’s Unchained program has expanded to include vital mental health support and immigration resources.

Tracey Khan

Jan 20, 2025

Information table for attendees of Unchained, a Caribbean Equality Project program offering workshops that foster healing, education, and solidarity for the Caribbean LGBTQ+ community in New York City. (Photo: Tracey Khan)

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For 35-year-old Alan Samuels, leaving St. Martin wasn’t a choice—it was survival. After enduring years of discrimination because of his sexuality, he fled the Caribbean island in search of acceptance in the United States. However, with the new Trump administration gearing up to enforce stricter immigration policies, Samuels says his hopes for a fresh start have been overshadowed by uncertainty and fear. 

“I am fearful about the new government and how that will affect the better life I came here for and if that will be taken away because of all of the news about the changes with the immigration policies,” he said.

Samuels, who arrived in the U.S. just over a month ago, is now navigating the complexities of seeking asylum. A friend introduced him to the Caribbean Equality Project (CEP), a lifeline for Caribbean LGBTQ immigrants. Through CEP, Samuels learned about a monthly support program called Unchained. He joined about 25 other attendees, all searching for guidance, community and resources to navigate the fraught immigration process.

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For a decade, CEP’s Unchained program has offered workshops fostering healing, education and solidarity for the Caribbean LGBTQ community in New York City. But this year, those workshops take on a new meaning. In response to the incoming Trump administration and the anticipated immigration challenges, CEP has expanded the program to include vital mental health support and immigration resources. These additions address the heightened fears and uncertainties faced by LGBTQ immigrants like Samuels.

“I came here for accurate information and a sense of community,” Samuels shared. “This workshop has given me the tools to navigate the immigration system and better understand my human rights. Knowing we have a network of people who understand and support us is reassuring, but I’m still scared and concerned about my future in this country,” he shared.

Held twice a month in Queens and Brooklyn, the expanded Unchained program now begins with stress relief exercises, including breathing techniques, to help participants manage anxiety and stress. Organizers also encourage a positive mental outlook by helping participants set goals for the new year. Led by CEP’s healing justice manager, L. Dindial, the program provides a vital space for participants to address immigration concerns, receive guidance on asylum applications, and navigate the challenges ahead with greater clarity and support.

“Many of our participants are dealing with compounded stress, the fear of deportation, the trauma of being uprooted, and the emotional toll of living as an LGBTQ person in unwelcoming spaces,” said Alfred Atherley-Ward, CEP Community Advocate and an asylum seeker from Guyana.

Recognizing these challenges, the workshop equips attendees with critical knowledge about their rights as immigrants. “Even though you’re an undocumented immigrant, you still have certain basic human rights,” Atherley-Ward explained. “One of those rights in the U.S. is to seek asylum if you are fleeing your country because of persecution or fear for your life.”

By partnering with legal experts like Sebastian Maguire, president and founder of Seeking Asylum and Finding Empowerment (SAFE), the program ensures participants have access to vital legal resources. Maguire emphasized the importance of these sessions in bridging the gap for LGBTQIA+ Caribbean immigrants. 

“There aren’t enough free or low-cost immigration attorneys to meet the needs of our community,” Maguire explained. “Many LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers face economic, language, and systemic barriers, and our pro se clinics provide assistance they can’t find elsewhere.”

For attendees like 27-year-old Akaila Simms, who arrived from Jamaica five months ago, the program provides more than just information—it offers a lifeline. After enduring years of verbal abuse and discrimination because of her sexual orientation, Simms is focused on rebuilding her life.

“I came here without knowing where I was gonna stay and ended up sleeping on my sister’s couch for a few months,” Simms shared. “I recently got a sublet, so I’m just trusting the process and seeing how I can transition here properly.”

Simms found reassurance not only in the resources provided but also in the sense of community the program fostered. “As a member of the queer community, I heard about the work CEP is doing, and this is my first time here,” she said. “This workshop has given me more information in two hours than I’ve gotten since arriving.”

SAFE’s collaboration with CEP extends beyond legal assistance, focusing on creating culturally relevant support networks for Caribbean immigrants who often face significant isolation. Maguire highlighted the broader importance of these efforts, emphasizing the scarcity of meaningful resources.

“There’s a huge disconnect,” Maguire noted. “Close to half of the LGBTQIA+ community in New York is likely made up of recent immigrants, but resources remain scarce. Many services are performative, and immigrant-focused organizations often prioritize agendas that conflict with the needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals.”

First-time attendee Narine Sundar, a Guyanese immigrant seeking to adjust his immigration status, echoed Simms’ sentiments about the challenges of navigating life as an immigrant. Having lived in uncertainty for the past three years, Sundar attended the workshop hoping for support. “I’m trying to get help so that I can move forward with my life because everything has been at a standstill for me because of my immigration status,” he explained.

The biweekly Unchained workshops at the CHHAYA CDC Building on Liberty Avenue in Queens and the Brooklyn Community Pride Center will continue to offer essential resources and support in the coming weeks. These include access to legal experts and mental health specialists, further strengthening the assistance available to attendees.

After learning about the resources now accessible to him, Sundar said he left the meeting with a sense of clarity. “I came here with a heavy heart, mentally in a very challenging place, but I’m leaving with a sense of relief and hope. This space made me feel seen and heard.”

Those interested in joining the Caribbean Equality Project can email info@caribbeanequalityproject.org or visit their website at caribbeanequalityproject.org to complete an identity and history intake form

Tracey Khan

Tracey Khan, a seasoned Guyanese journalist based in the U.S., has over 15 years of experience covering national and international events across the Caribbean and the United States. Renowned for her insightful reporting and captivating storytelling, she has honed her skills with esteemed news outlets in Guyana and is now striving to establish her presence in New York. 

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