Can the United States still be considered a safe country for trans people? The story of Hannah Kreager, a 22-year-old American girl, puts this question back on the table. Last Monday, Hannah formally requested asylum in Canada, alleging that the policies of the current president, Donald Trump, put her integrity and rights as a trans woman at risk.
A personal decision, a political signal
Hannah, who currently lives in Calgary, fears being persecuted in her country of origin due to government measures that deny the existence of identities outside of binarism. One of the most immediate reasons for her application was the attempt to renew her passport, currently marked with an “X” in the gender section. With Trump’s return to power, this option has been eliminated, also removing an essential form of recognition for many trans and non-binary people.
“I couldn’t sleep peacefully. Every procedure, every document, was a threat,” Hannah told the Canadian press. What for many is a simple bureaucracy, for her became a constant source of anguish.
Canada, a new land of refuge?
Hannah’s lawyer, Yameena Ansari, filed the application with the Immigration and Refugee Council of Canada. It alleges that the recent decisions of the US Executive are systematically deteriorating the rights of LGTBIQ+ people, especially those who are part of the trans community. One of the most controversial measures has been the official redefinition of the concept of gender, reducing it only to masculine and feminine.
But Hannah’s case will not be easy. Since 2002, the Canadian system has maintained the so-called Safe Third Country Agreement, which considers the United States as a reliable place for people fleeing persecution. A legal framework that was reinforced in 2023 to stop the irregular crossing of refugee seekers.
So, can a country still be considered “safe” if it legislates against the existence of a portion of its citizens?
An exception or the beginning of a trend?
Hannah could become the first of many voices who choose to cross the border in search of safety. Her story is reminiscent of dystopias that once seemed like fiction, like The Handmaid’s Tale, where fleeing becomes the only possible act of resistance.
This is not the first time that the US political context has generated this type of displacement. But it is significant that today, in the middle of 2025, a young woman has to leave her country for fear that her identity will be removed from official records.
Not everything is black or white
Although Hannah’s case highlights a worrying reality, there are also voices that point out the dangers of simplifying the debate. Some legal sectors and academics remember that the American system, despite its contradictions, continues to offer legal resources and support networks for trans people. In addition, civil organizations continue to fight from within, questioning each legislative setback.
To what extent should a regressive policy be considered sufficient cause for granting asylum? Can an individual decision become a precedent?
These questions do not have easy answers, but they do require collective reflection. Hannah’s case may be exceptional, or it may be the beginning of a deeper crack in the map of human rights in North America.
