<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/02/at-least-29-americans-have-sought-asylum-in-australia-since-second-trump-presidency-began>
"Dozens of Americans are seeking asylum in Australia as their US homeland
becomes increasingly fractured and politically volatile during Donald Trump’s
second presidency.
At least 29 US citizens applied for humanitarian protection visas in the first
six months since Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025, according
to Department of Home Affairs figures obtained under Freedom of Information
laws.
The deputy chief executive of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), Jana
Favero, said the centre had also seen an increase in the number of people from
the US calling its helplines for advice on how to claim protection.
“We are deeply concerned about the increasing attacks on human rights in the
United States, and in particular the targeting of the LGBTIQ+ community,”
Favero said.
The home affairs data does not include specific reasons for the applications,
but to be accepted as a refugee in Australia, an asylum seeker must be assessed
as having a “well-founded fear of persecution” due to their race, religion,
nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.
The data shows asylum applications from US citizens have steadily increased
since Trump was inaugurated on 20 January, albeit from a low base.
Fewer than five US citizens applied for asylum between February and April.
The number of applications rose to five in May, seven in June and 14 in July,
resulting in a minimum of 29 and a maximum of 38 lodgments over six months.
The exact number is unclear because the department does not disclose the figure
for months with fewer than five applications."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
