Hassim’s Story - A Long Road To Freedom

Hassim’s Asylum Story & Detainment

In the summer of 2025, a 23-year-old man named Hassim contacted our team looking for case management support. He shared that he was from Guinea-Conakry, a country in West Africa, where it is illegal to be gay. He explained that when he was discovered with his long-time boyfriend, they were beaten nearly to death by community members, his boyfriend was apprehended by the police and imprisoned, and Hassim was forced to flee. With the help of his cousin, Hassim managed to escape and get on a plane to South America. He made the long journey to the Southern border, in the hope of seeking protection in the U.S.

When Hassim was detained at a scheduled ICE check-in last year, he immediately called his therapist, who immediately called our case manager. This was September of 2025, and Hassim was one of the first of the cohort of many defensive asylum seekers–individuals who crossed the Southern border to claim asylum–who were detained with pending cases, despite following all the rules. With little in the way of options, Asylum Pride House reached out to Hassim’s attorney, asking the only question we knew how to: “Is there anything we can do to help you help Hassim?” Thankfully, he said yes.

Over the following months, Asylum Pride House and committed community members fundraised over $10,000 to assist with Hassim’s legal fees and commissary. For detained immigrants, legal proceedings are accelerated, a tactic used by the current administration to disenfranchise asylum seekers. With only a month to assist in evidence preparation, our staff wrote letters, coordinated with mental health professionals, sourced country conditions experts, and provided ongoing emotional support to Hassim as he recounted his traumatic story. Down to the wire, we were able to pull together a strong case file, outlining Hassim’s experience as an LGBTQIA+ person from Guinea.

Despite the teamwork, Hassim lost his asylum case in front of an immigration judge. The judge, recently appointed by President Trump, questioned Hassim’s credibility, barred our staff from testifying as witnesses, and speculated about inconsequential details. In his oral decision, he claimed that he did not believe Hassim to be gay, nor did he believe that his boyfriend, who is likely dead, ever existed. Hassim was devastated, but determined. Our team was going to fight this by Hassim’s side until he was free again.

Hassim’s Freedom - The Power of Perseverance & Pride

Hassim’s attorney filed a motion with the Board of Immigration Appeals, outlining the errors in the judge's ruling. In the meantime, our staff connected Hassim with the Villanova CARES Clinic, who, in partnership with Philadelphia Defenders, had started a habeas corpus clinic. Habeas corpus, typically used for criminal cases, is now being used to challenge unlawful detention by ICE. We also connected with Duane Morris Pro Bono Program, who agreed to represent Hassim in the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, if his case was denied by the Board of Immigration Appeals. All the while in detention, our team continued to provide weekly check-in calls, where our case manager served as a listening ear to the challenges Hassim was facing in detention - few hours outside each week, inedible foods, fear of being outed by other detainees or officers, and the ever growing fear that he would be forced to return to Guinea where his life might end.

After months of waiting, we learned that Hassim’s habeas petition had been successful, and that the federal judge was forcing a bond hearing for Hassim. We were overjoyed, then quickly deflated, learning that the judge hearing the bond was one of harshest immigration judges in the district. All the same, we persevered, compiling letters of support from our case manager, Hassim’s therapist, and the Sisters of Saint Joseph’s Transitional Home for Men. We were determined to show that Hassim was a) not a danger to the community and b) not a flight risk. Hassim was prepared for the worst.

The day of the bond hearing was a rollercoaster. The virtual courtroom was filled with Hassim’s supporters, ten of us total, ready to attest to his case and his much deserved right to freedom. The judge quickly reviewed the paperwork, prepared to deny his bond. Why would someone who had lost their asylum case have any reason to comply with future proceedings? His attorney, also a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, calmly explained to the judge the strength of the case, the issues with the previous ruling, and pointed out our staff in the court room. After a long deliberation, because of the immense show of support from our team and strong fight by his attorney, the judge granted Hassim a bond of $12,000. New Sanctuary Movement’s bond fund agreed to cover this large amount and Hassim was set for release that same week.

Early in the morning on April 23rd, Hassim was released from detention and picked up by a caring couple - part of a detention release support group in the area - while our team drove the four hours out to Moshannon to bring him home. After 7 months of detention, Hassim is finally free to keep fighting his case. He is safely housed, being supported by our team, and is taking the much deserved time to adjust to life outside of detention again in Philadelphia.

Our Heartfelt Thanks

Our team at Asylum Pride House and Hassim are beyond grateful to every person who stood beside us as we fought for Hassim’s freedom. To every donor, concerned community member, attorney, therapist, and volunteer - thank you for all that you did to make this possible.

Hassim’s liberation could not have happened without a community of Philadelphians coming together in support of our mission. This story exemplifies the power of intersectional advocacy, unconditional support, and undeniable resilience. When queer and immigrant activists fight together, anything is possible.

*** Hassim’s real name has been changed to protect his identity