mmigration lgbtq americans canada increase

A Surge Following Trump’s Re-Election

Canadian immigration lawyers are noticing a significant increase in inquiries from LGBTQ+ Americans. Rainbow Railroad, an organization that supports LGBTQ+ individuals fleeing persecution, reports a massive surge in requests immediately after Donald Trump was re-elected as President of the United States.

On November 6, 2024, the day after the election, nearly 1,200 inquiries were submitted by LGBTQ+ Americans looking to leave their country. Before this date, the organization had received approximately 700 inquiries for the entire year of 2024.

A Challenging Legal Status to Obtain

Despite the rise in inquiries, Rainbow Railroad emphasizes that most of these Americans do not meet the criteria for asylum status. Canada’s immigration framework is largely based on persecution-related claims, which limits the eligibility of U.S. citizens for this type of protection.

Immigration Lawyers Confirm Growing Interest

Canadian immigration lawyers are also witnessing this trend. Adrienne Smith, who runs a law firm in Toronto, reports receiving between five and ten inquiries per day regarding immigration options to Canada.

However, she notes that obtaining permanent residency can be challenging if applicants’ professional backgrounds do not align with the Canadian federal government’s economic priorities. Currently, favored sectors include science and engineering, healthcare, and transportation.