Today, we spoke to Eric, our Social Services Program Director, who shared what brought him to Oasis and the things that bring him joy, even as his work is often heavy. Through the challenges and rewards of his journey, he shares with us his vision for the future.

Oasis was founded in 2017 to be a sanctuary for queer and trans immigrants. Fear of deportation, uncertainty around evolving immigration policies, rising xenophobia and nationalism, homophobic and transphobic violence have put our clients in harm’s way. In the face of adversity, our team has always stepped in to support LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. Today, we acknowledge that there exists a collective grief but refuse to let it immobilize us.

We will not stop building bridges.

Our shared vision propels us forward.

Today, we're spotlighting Julia Mejia-Moreno, one of Oasis’ Asylum Legal Advocates, whose own connection to the immigrant experience drives her to support LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. We’re thrilled to have Julia on our team and grateful for the passion and heart she brings to Oasis each day.

Today, the Ninth Circuit largely affirmed a lower court decision that held unlawful the government’s systematic turnbacks – or “metering” – of people seeking asylum at ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. The court’s decision sends a clear message: it’s time for humane and respectful treatment for all those seeking safety at our borders. While this ruling is positive, we know that under the Biden administration, the government’s turnback practices have evolved and expanded. Read more about the implications of this decision.

Pro Bono Week is an opportunity to express our deep gratitude to the firms and attorneys who help us expand our capacity to serve the LGBTQ+ immigrant community. As one of the few organizations providing accessible legal services to queer and trans immigrants, we rely on our incredible network of pro bono partners who share their time, expertise, and passion for queer and trans immigrant justice.

At Oasis, our Asylum Program plays a crucial role in providing legal support to LGBTQ+ immigrants navigating the complexities of the U.S. asylum process. Leading this program is one of Oasis’ founders, Maria Elena Paniagua (Mari), whose dedication to both her clients and her team drives the success of our biggest legal program. In this blog, we explore the challenges and rewards of her role, as well as the personal passions that keep her grounded and inspired.

In this interview, we delve into our Asylum Legal Advocate, Anuar's personal and professional journey—what drives him, the challenges and successes he’s encountered, and the joy he finds in woodworking and his favorite Portuguese songs. Through his story, we gain a deeper understanding of the profound impact that lived experience can have on advocacy and the importance of humanizing the asylum process.

This blog post reviews some common support needs of transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) newcomers and discusses how you can be an affirming provider. It addresses client needs related to health, welcoming, and social services, and provides detailed information on legal concerns. This blog was informed by the experiences and contributions of Ari Jones, Oasis' Residency & Naturalization Programs Director; Abby Davies and Jamie Sgarro from InReach; Max Niedzwiecki of the Episcopal Migration Ministries’ Rainbow Initiative; Anita Fábos of Clark University; and Craig Mortley of the University of Connecticut School of Social Work.

As a result of the current immigration climate and displacement of people around the world, immigration providers in California are unable to keep up with the demand for legal services. For providers who serve LGBTQ+ clients, capacity is further stretched. We are happy to introduce Celia Meredith, our new Asylum Legal Fellow! Celia will expand our ability to support LGBTQ+ asylum seekers who qualify for affirmative asylum and have a need for immediate representation.

Navigating a new country can be challenging for anyone, but for LGBTQ+ newcomers, the journey often comes with unique complexities. This blog post addresses key legal concerns for LGBTQ+ newcomers. It covers topics such as confidentiality, document updates, and referral strategies to help service providers better support LGBTQ+ clients. 

Oasis has a close relationship with the community we serve because our staff largely reflects the identities of our clients—LGBTQ+ individuals who come from immigrant families, or who are immigrants themselves. Our Executive Director, Adam Ryan Chang, is no exception. In this interview, Adam dives deep into the experiences that shaped him and his passion as he leads Oasis on the quest to bring light into our clients’ lives, the same way Adam found his.

Mahlieli is Oasis’ 2024 Legal Services Funders Network (LSFN)* Legal Fellow. She supports our mission to provide trauma-informed immigration and social services to the LGBTQ+ community. At Oasis she is dedicated to providing legal assistance to immigrants and underserved communities, aiming to protect their rights and ensure fair access to justice. Learn more about Mahlieli and the LSFN Fellowship.

On October 19th, 2024, Oasis will have our 7th Annual Community Celebration at The New Parkway Theater in Oakland. Our biggest fundraising event of the year, this gathering offers an opportunity to come together to honor the journeys of our clients and celebrate the supporters that make our work possible. This year, in the spirit of true community, we’re also making the event free to ensure it’s accessible to everyone who wants to support and celebrate with us. It would mean a lot to have you join us in celebration! You can RSVP for free.

Meet Oliver, our 2024 Dream SF Fellow. The DreamSF Fellowship is a San Francisco-based leadership and professional development program for immigrant students and aspiring professionals who seek to gain real-world experience with social justice change-makers in the Bay Area. We are excited to host Oliver for 11 months and support his professional development while he helps our clients obtain permanent safety in the United States.

A new report has been released detailing the egregious due process and human rights violations at the U.S.-Mexico border during the first six weeks of the Biden administration’s asylum ban and Interim Final Rule (IFR). Some of these violations include people being deported without an initial asylum screening, major barriers to accessing legal aid while in detention, increased challenges to entering the U.S. for asylum seekers with urgent safety and medical needs, and more. A lawsuit has been filed by immigrant rights organizations challenging the new asylum ban, because it closely mirrors the asylum ban that the Trump administration imposed in 2018. But for the time being, the asylum ban remains in action until the lawsuit is resolved.

As a mother of a trans woman, Ortencia was drawn to Oasis because of our mission supporting LGBTQ+ immigrants, and the fact that social services navigation is integrated into our trauma-informed process.

Every year, law students have the opportunity to intern with Oasis during the summer, fall, and spring semesters. They work directly with our clients under attorney supervision to help prepare asylum and other affirmative immigration cases, declarations and affidavits, and represent clients at their asylum interviews before USCIS. Our current Law Student Interns are Mars B., Michele Canny, Chase Morgan, and Thomas McDowell.

In the U.S., there is a prison population of nearly 1.9 million, with an alarming 2.5 to 5 percent believed to be wrongfully incarcerated. This translates to around 47,500 to 95,000 innocent individuals whose lives are disrupted, each losing irreplaceable time, family, and freedom. Among the most vulnerable to wrongful convictions are LGBTQ+ individuals and immigrants, who face unique challenges exacerbated by prejudice and systemic biases. Read more about the systemic flaws and biases contributing to wrongful convictions and the ongoing fight for justice in this blog written by our law student intern, Michele Canny.

Oasis, in partnership with Immigration Equality, filed a comment on July 8, 2024, against Biden’s newest asylum ban or Interim Final Rule (“IFR” or “Rule”). Detailing accounts of our clients’ lives in their countries or origin, our comment highlights how dangerous this rule will be for asylum seekers who are LGBTQ+ and may be living with HIV (LGBTQ/H).

This year, our Central Valley clients took the lead in organizing and directing Oasis’ participation in the Fresno Pride Parade. With support from our Fresno team, clients came together to brainstorm themes, select music, and design a parade experience that truly represented their identities and shared experiences. The result was nothing short of extraordinary. While the Central Valley has historically been a conservative region, our clients’ leadership and bravery continue to transform hearts and minds in a powerful celebration of community and pride.