A transgender woman from Colorado has had her refugee status revoked in Canada for seeking safe haven from America’s gun culture and rising transphobia.
Daria Bloodworth, 36, was granted refugee status in October 2022, three years after fleeing to Canada after experiencing violence and stalking because of her gender identity. CBC reported.
In a ruling handed down this week, the judge said the Refugee Appeals Division erred in finding that Colorado authorities could not protect Ms. Bloodworth from her roommate, who had accused her of stalking, and that she could not be found elsewhere. He said that he could not guarantee the safety of the
“It was clear from the beginning that this was going to be an uphill battle. Either we win this or we stay in Canada a little longer and try not to get killed in the United States,” Bloodworth told CBC.
“I was really happy to win the tournament.” [Refugee Appeal Division] level. It also increased my confidence that I could win this case for good, knowing that I had a strong case based on the evidence I presented. ”
Bloodworth said she plans to appeal the ruling to the Federal Court of Appeals, seeking to reinstate the October 2022 ruling that granted her tournament refugee status.
She first sought refuge in Canada after claiming she had been the target of threats and violence from a former roommate, former landlord, and a debt collection agency, but police in Colorado said they had enough information to respond to the threats. She claimed that he did not take appropriate action.
Colorado State Police initially charged Bloodworth with menacing after threatening her with a gun, but months later they dismissed the case and the protective order against Bloodworth was revoked.
Despite the charges being dropped, the former roommate continued to stalk Mr. Bloodworth, and Mr. Bloodworth continued to be denied a protective order by police, even after filing multiple complaints.
Although Bloodworth’s first attempt to flee failed, Dilani Mohan of the Refugee Appeals Unit said in 2022 that Bloodworth’s fear of persecution was justified.
“RPD failed to consider how Colorado’s openly carried gun regulations could combine with the general climate of anti-trans hate in the United States. [her] She is always vulnerable and her life is in danger,” Mohan wrote.
Mohan also realized that given Bloodworth’s financial situation, moving to a more liberal area of the United States, such as New York City, was not an option.
Immediately after Mr. Bloodworth was granted refugee status, the Secretary of Citizenship stated that Mr. Mohan had erred in “imposing a standard of full station protection” and that “there are gaps in Colorado law, including state-level laws.” “we were unable to identify the person,” and argued that there was a problem with this decision. Please protect transgender people. ”
Last week, the judge agreed, finding Mohan failed to assess whether Bloodworth had “proved by clear and convincing evidence that he had exhausted all reasonably possible actions without success.” It pointed out.
The federal court added that “further evidence of hardship and disadvantage” was needed to remove New York City from Bloodworth’s list of possible relocation locations.
Bloodworth, who is currently studying biological sciences at Yukon University, said she hopes to find a way to remain in Canada.
“Honestly, I feel like this is home. I’m not going to say Canada is perfect, but at least since I moved here, I’ve never been threatened with a gun or threatened with a knife. I have never been discriminated against because I am transgender,” she said.
“If you let me live here, I really feel like I can live here.”
