From Fear to Freedom: The Journey of LGBTQ Latine/x Asylum Seekers and Their Access to Legal, Medical, and Mental Health Services in the U.S.

Author

Jonathan Briseno, University of Massachusetts BostonFollow

Date of Award

5-2024

Document Type

Campus Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

School Psychology

First Advisor

Sharon G. Horne

Second Advisor

Laura Hayden

Third Advisor

Chivi Kapungu

Abstract

This study sought out to understand the experiences of LGBTQ Latine/x asylum seekers when accessing care services that are related to their asylum process in the U.S. To get a better understanding of their experiences, this study utilized a critical constructivist grounded theoretical approach. The study included nine LGBTQ Latine/x participants that were actively in the asylum process during the interview process. They answered demographic questions as well as an interview protocol that included questions aimed at understanding how individuals navigate the asylum process through their intersectional identities. Results yielded a total of six clusters with a total of twenty-three categories. These findings provided insights on the experience of acknowledging that the road to asylum does not end once one arrives to the U.S. Additionally, once starting the asylum process, individuals experienced difficulty in navigating the unknown and/or the everchanging policies and procedures that inform the asylum process. One key finding was that participants reported feeling safe in the U.S. which they did not feel back in their home countries. Participants also reported that through the asylum process, they were able to find a supportive space in which they were able to build community with others that shared their LGBTQ and Latine/x identity. Participants also spoke about their experiences with legal, medical, and mental health service providers and how they had a mix of encounters with them. Participants reported being thankful for the services they received but they reported feeling less comfortable and a lack of connection related to professional’s experience with working with LGBTQ and Latine/x individuals. Participants also spoke about the difficulty in navigating cultural and political obstacles that made the asylum process more challenging. Overall, participants highlighted the need for more accessible and competent services for LGBTQ Latine/x asylum seekers. Further results are discussed. Implications of the study are discussed. The limitations for this study and future directions are explored as well.

Spanish

Este estudio buscó comprender las experiencias de los solicitantes de asilo LGBTQ latine al acceder a servicios de atención relacionados con su proceso de asilo en los EE. UU. Para comprender mejor sus experiencias, este estudio utilizó un enfoque teórico fundamentado en un constructivista crítico. El estudio incluyó a nueve participantes LGBTQ latine que estuvieron activamente en el proceso de asilo durante el proceso de entrevista. Respondieron preguntas demográficas, así como un protocolo de entrevista que incluía preguntas destinadas a comprender cómo las personas navegan por el proceso de asilo a través de sus identidades interseccionales. Los resultados arrojaron un total de seis grupos con un total de veintitrés categorías. Estos hallazgos proporcionaron información sobre la experiencia de reconocer que el camino hacia el asilo no termina una vez que uno llega a los EE. UU. Además, una vez iniciado el proceso de asilo, las personas experimentaron dificultades para navegar por lo desconocido y/o las políticas y procedimientos en constante cambio que informan el proceso de asilo. Un hallazgo clave fue que los participantes informaron sentirse seguros en los EE. UU., lo que no se sentían en sus países de origen. Los participantes también informaron que a través del proceso de asilo, pudieron encontrar un espacio de apoyo en el que pudieron construir una comunidad con otras personas que compartían su identidad LGBTQ y latine. Los participantes también hablaron sobre sus experiencias con proveedores de servicios legales, médicos y de salud mental y cómo tuvieron una combinación de encuentros con ellos. Los participantes informaron estar agradecidos por los servicios que recibieron, pero informaron sentirse menos cómodos y una falta de conexión relacionada con la experiencia del profesional al trabajar con personas LGBTQ y latine. Los participantes también hablaron sobre la dificultad para superar los obstáculos culturales y políticos que hicieron que el proceso de asilo fuera más desafiante. En general, los participantes destacaron la necesidad de servicios más accesibles y competentes para los solicitantes de asilo LGBTQ latine. Se discuten más resultados. Las implicaciones del estudio son discutidas. También se exploran las limitaciones de este estudio y las direcciones futuras.

Comments

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Recommended Citation

Briseno, Jonathan, "From Fear to Freedom: The Journey of LGBTQ Latine/x Asylum Seekers and Their Access to Legal, Medical, and Mental Health Services in the U.S." (2024). Graduate Doctoral Dissertations. 909.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/doctoral_dissertations/909