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.

We are looking for leaders who have the capacity to join our dynamic Board of Directors! As our clients have intersecting identities, and as our service model incorporates best practices from both legal and social services, we welcome diverse candidates to apply to join our Board. This is an opportunity to apply your existing skills and expertise to benefit LGBTQ+ immigrants and to work collaboratively as you learn from, and with, Oasis’ Board of Directors and Executive Director.

Hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers, including those from LGBTQ/H communities, are detained annually in U.S. immigration detention centers operated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These detention centers are notorious for their inhumane treatment of detainees. LGBTQ/H people face particularly severe abuse including high incidences of physical and sexual violence, prolonged solitary confinement, and inadequate medical care, among other systemic abuses.

Numerous studies have shown that the undocumented status of LGBTQ+ immigrant parents increases significant negative outcomes for their children–from physical and mental health, to education, and more. Oasis Legal Services provides critical legal and wraparound support services to ensure LGBTQ+ parents can create family stability without fear of deportation, and access vital support services to ensure their family’s wellbeing.

We are happy to announce that Oasis has embarked on a very exciting new collaboration with The Rainbow Initiative of the Episcopal Migration Ministries, which works closely with the Office of Refugee Resettlement, the federal agency that funds initiatives supporting refugees. Partnerships like the one between Oasis and The Rainbow Initiative are necessary to bring awareness to and lead advocacy for LGBTQ+ immigrants.

Oasis hosts undergraduate paralegal interns during fall and spring semesters. Paralegal interns work directly with our clients under legal representative supervision to help prepare asylum applications. They also assist our staff, law student interns and pro bono representatives as interpreters. Meet our current Paralegal Interns, Monica Diaz, Grady De Paz, and Fatima Campos.

Yesterday, President Biden unleashed two assaults on the human right to apply for asylum: (1) a Presidential Proclamation that immediately suspends the right to apply for asylum for people at the Southern border who do not enter the U.S. at a port of entry, and (2) an interim final rule that seeks to make this suspension procedure permanent. Under the proclamation, the Southern border is in effect now closed to asylum seekers. Oasis is appalled by these new restrictions on asylum, which will affect queer and trans asylum seekers of color disproportionately.

Asylum Legal Advocate Anuar Arriaga Esquivel talks about his experience with learning Portuguese. From language immersion to representing a Portuguese-speaking client at an asylum interview, Anuar shares his own journey with Portuguese and Brazilian culture and the role it plays in his personal and professional life. This journey not only tested his language skills but also deepened my connections and broadened his perspective on the power of language and community.

Despite their contributions to the United States, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities continue to face systemic discrimination and racism. Learn about the significant achievements of AAPI communities through data from the “U.S. Immigration Policy Center” and the “National Partnership for New Americans”, and the critical importance of ongoing advocacy and support beyond AAPI Heritage Month.

What does $10 mean to you? To LGBTQ+ immigrants, it means the world. Give OUT Day provides an opportunity to engage in the transformative power of collective giving. Donate to Oasis this month and help us provide life-saving services to our clients. Transform lives with just $10 and support queer and trans immigrants.

To celebrate our two-year anniversary in Fresno, we hosted our first-ever Community Open House fundraiser at the historic Tower Theatre Lounge on Thursday, April 11. The intention was to gather with our friends and allies (old and new!) and showcase everything that we have accomplished in Fresno so far, and explore what we can still achieve together in the years to come. Our team was moved to witness the Central Valley community show up and engage in discussions with folks who offered partnerships, ideas, and resources in support of our work to protect queer and trans immigrants.

Oasis Legal Services has been selected to receive a transformative $2 million award from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving for our work supporting LGBTQ+ immigrants. This grant will allow our Affirmative Asylum Program to be 100% free for clients. Additionally, our Residency and Naturalizations Programs will be free to LGBTQ+ immigrants living with HIV.

Since Oasis’ founding in 2017, our volunteers and staff have prioritized sending each of our active clients an annual birthday card. As our client community continues to grow, we made the decision to involve our amazing supporters and volunteers. To kickstart 2024, we hosted our first volunteer birthday card event at the beautiful 1951 Coffee Company in Berkeley.

Pablo Baeza Breinbauer, our former Social Services Manager reflects on the profound impact of humanitarian protection and immigration relief on LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. Drawing from years of experience, they delve into the intersecting challenges of trauma and material deprivation faced by clients fleeing persecution. Through client anecdotes and their personal commitment to systemic reform, Pablo underscores the transformative power of asylum in fostering empowerment, dignity, and hope. Read about the journey of resilience within LGBTQ+ immigrants pursuing a stable life in the United States.

After fleeing persecution, navigating a new country and culture can be a lonely experience. Join us in celebrating our wonderful clients by writing and decorating birthday cards for them. Students, service providers, and professionals are highly encouraged to come. This is an opportunity to meet others from the Oasis community and expand your network.

“LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and immigrants are among the most targeted and exploited, and this bill would create insurmountable obstacles for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers to present their case and find safety,” said Adam Ryan Chang, Executive Director of Oasis.

Medical marijuana use can offer therapeutic advantages, including relief from intense chronic pain, the treatment of conditions like narcolepsy, and more. However, because marijuana remains prohibited at the federal level, immigrant community members are sometimes forced to choose between medical relief and jeopardizing their immigration status. Ari Jones, our Residency & Naturalization Programs Director, explores this frustrating situation…

Are you our next Social Services (SoS) Program Director? Oasis is seeking an MSW to head up our dynamic SoS program, which provides life-saving wraparound services to LGBTQ+ immigrants throughout their immigration journeys. The SoS Program Director will supervise a team of staff & MSW interns, build strong partnerships with other social service providers throughout California, and collaborate closely with the legal team to ensure our clients' holistic needs are addressed. You can click here to view the full job description.