Inside grassroots efforts to aid LGBTQ+ asylum seekers

The project focuses on the plight of transgender asylum seekers and the activists who have formed grassroots networks to help them on their journey. I was able to tell these stories and interview asylum seekers and activists at the U.S.-Mexico border in both El Paso, and Ciudad Juárez as part of a grant from the Pulitzer Center. 

This is the story of Casa de Colores, a shelter in downtown Juárez that provided refuge for 45 transgender women seeking asylum in the United States at the height of the pandemic. These women faced numerous challenges, including violence, discrimination, and persecution in their home countries. Casa de Colores became a chosen family for them, offering a safe space where they could dress as they pleased, make friends, and build a supportive community.

However, the road to seeking asylum in the U.S. was long, difficult, and stalled due to the pandemic. The women had to rely on grassroots organizations and local activists for support as they waited to cross the border. 

Despite facing barriers like Title 42 and the Remain in Mexico Policy, Casa Carmelita and other organizations in El Paso worked tirelessly to help, and nearly all of the women of Casa de Colores have since crossed the border and begun the process of applying for asylum.

​The article explores the deep connection between Ciudad Juárez and El Paso, highlighting how growing up on both sides of the border has shaped the identities of the residents of both cities. 

​The article provides a glimpse into Casa Carmelita, a shelter for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers in El Paso, Texas. It is operated solely by grassroots activists and artists.