Asylum claims from American citizens have risen since Trump took on, figures appears
The surge in asylum claims from American citizens seeking refuge in Canada has significantly increased since the return of Donald Trump to the White House. According to data released by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), the number of Americans seeking refugee status in the first half of 2025 has already surpassed the total from the previous year.
In the first six months of this year, 245 American citizens have submitted asylum claims, compared to 204 claims in all of 2024. This represents a significant increase, especially considering that only 157 claims were made by American citizens in 2023. Historically, the number of asylum claims from American citizens has been relatively low compared to other countries. For example, there were over 55,000 refugee claims submitted in the first half of this year, with nearly 10,000 coming from India alone.
Many of the asylum claims from American citizens this year are from non-binary and transgender individuals who have faced increased discrimination and persecution under the Trump administration. Since taking office, Trump has signed executive orders restricting gender identity recognition, dismantling diversity programs, and banning transgender women from participating in women’s sports.
One such individual, Hannah Kreager, a transgender woman from Arizona, filed an asylum claim in June citing a well-founded fear of persecution in the US. Her immigration lawyer, Yameena Ansari, stated that the climate of fear created by the Trump administration has driven many vulnerable populations, including women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals, to seek refuge in Canada.
The backlog of asylum claims at the IRB means that it can take up to four years for a hearing to be scheduled. In a recent case in July, a federal judge halted the deportation of an American citizen, Angel Jenkel, criticizing the Canadian immigration department for not properly considering the situation of LGBTQ Americans since Trump’s return to office. Jenkel, a multimedia artist from Minnesota engaged to a Canadian, can now remain in Canada while their case is being reviewed.
As more American citizens explore the option of seeking asylum in Canada, lawyers and advocates warn that the criteria for successful asylum claims are stringent. James Yousif, a Toronto-based lawyer and former policy director for a conservative immigration minister, emphasized that asylum seekers must demonstrate that they have no viable alternative to internal flight within the US to qualify for refugee protection in Canada.
Overall, the increasing number of asylum claims from American citizens highlights the profound impact of Trump’s policies on marginalized communities and underscores the importance of providing a safe haven for those fleeing persecution and discrimination.
