Almost a year after Donald Trump’s inauguration, queer Americans are increasingly searching for safety beyond U.S. borders. Google data shows a surge in searches for “LGBTQ+ asylum Canada,” following a year marked by anti-LGBTQ+ executive orders and growing fears about personal security. Trump has signed measures recognizing only two sexes, restricting gender-affirming care for trans youth under 19, eliminating DEI initiatives from the military, and declaring trans people “unfit for military service.”
Those fears intensified after the killing of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, wife, and U.S. citizen, who was shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The city confirmed she later died at Hennepin County Medical Center. The shooting sparked protests and condemnation from Mayor Jacob Frey, who said, “ICE — Get the f*** out of Minneapolis…We do not want you here. Your stated purpose for being in this City is to create some kind of safety, but you are doing exactly the opposite… We will pursue justice — and we will do so as quickly as possible.”
GLAAD reports anti-LGBTQ+ incidents are rising. Between May 2024 and May 2025, 932 incidents were tracked nationwide. Canada does grant asylum based on queer persecution, though approvals for Americans are rare. Immigration lawyers say interest in moving north is growing, noting, “For US citizens, moving to Canada is relatively straightforward, especially for skilled workers or family sponsorships. However, processing times can range from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the immigration route.”
