In December 2023, Fitz Smith, 43, found a connection on Grindr with Mamadou, a younger man who had fled Guinea due to fears for his safety as a gay man.
Mamadou, then 27, left his home country shortly after his conservative imam father discovered his sexual orientation, knowing that in Guinea, same-sex relationships carry severe legal and societal consequences.
Reflecting on his own past, Smith shared his feelings about Mamadou’s situation, having once fled Jamaica under similar circumstances decades before.
Their relationship blossomed over the next year and a half, culminating in their marriage on June 3, and they were in the process of planning a life together, including discussions about starting a family.
However, everything changed on June 23 when Mamadou was arrested by federal agents immediately after his asylum hearing in an immigration courtroom.
Despite his pleas to remain in the United States, the judge dismissed his asylum claim, leaving Mamadou vulnerable to deportation.
In a heartfelt phone interview after Mamadou’s arrest, Smith expressed his commitment to stand by Mamadou, asking, “How much more can someone suffer just to find peace?”
Reports on federal policies indicate that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have ramped up their efforts to target migrants seeking asylum, particularly through arrests made in immigration courtrooms.
Smith and Mamadou are among many who are affected by the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies, which have intensified the scrutiny and removal of asylum seekers.
The techniques used by ICE to arrest individuals in immigration courthouses mark a significant shift in enforcement strategy, effectively barring many from contesting their immigration status in court.
Mamadou’s arrest coincided with New York City’s Pride celebrations, which added a layer of sorrow for those, like Phil Smrek, 61, whose home Mamadou was staying in.
As the community celebrated its rights and visibility, Smrek reflected on the ongoing challenges faced by individuals like Mamadou, emphasizing that the fight for due process can be lost in an instant.
Mamadou originally entered the U.S. in December 2023 amidst a wave of over 200,000 migrants seeking asylum.
Upon arriving, he initially stayed with a family friend in The Bronx until he was forced out due to his sexual orientation.
Experiencing homelessness, Mamadou faced the harsh realities of city life, which struck a chord with Smith, who had been homeless himself in his early years in New York.
Their relationship bore the burden of Mamadou’s experiences, but they found joy in each other’s company and created lasting memories.
On one of their early dates, Smith realized Mamadou had no secure place to stay, prompting them to seek out shelters in a desperate search without success.
Throughout their relationship, Smith remained committed to supporting Mamadou, recalling his distressing memories of struggling to find safety and stability.
Eventually, Mamadou was able to enter the city’s migrant shelter system, where he faced the challenges posed by increasing demand.
Despite the obstacles, the couple’s love flourished.
Smith, who had just emerged from a long-term relationship, was surprised by the age difference with Mamadou, but they connected deeply over shared experiences of being marginalized by their faith communities.
Both men, raised in different religious traditions, maintained their faith while navigating their identity as LGBTQ individuals who faced rejection from their respective communities.
They shared in joy and celebration at events such as Mamadou’s first Pride, where he reveled in the vibrancy of the festivities.
Together, they attended cultural events, including an opera that left Mamadou filled with awe.
However, their dream of a quiet life together was disrupted when a heating issue made Smith’s house uninhabitable, leading them to separate again.
Fortunately, a friend of Mamadou’s offered him a temporary home until the situation could be resolved.
This friend, Smrek, initially welcomed Mamadou into his home as a platonic relationship, acting as a guardian figure given their shared experiences.
Mamadou had enrolled in English classes and secured work authorization, striving to legalize his status.
He took a job as a restaurant server and attended training to become a security guard while nurturing aspirations for a quiet life and romantic partnership with Smith.
But all of this came to a halt as Mamadou faced his immigration court hearing under a growing climate of fear.
Smith and Mamadou discussed options leading to his court appearance, weighing the risks posed by the ICE arrests happening within the immigration courthouses.
Smith felt devastated about the possibility of losing Mamadou, describing the situation as one where they were damned if they do, damned if they don’t.
The day prior to Mamadou’s hearing, Smith and Smrek met for the first time, bonded by their shared love and concern for Mamadou.
On the day of the hearing, Mamadou dressed in a heavy suit, explaining to Smrek that it would serve as his “blanket” if he were taken into custody.
Throughout the tense court session, Mamadou conveyed his profound fear of returning to Guinea, recalling the danger he would face due to his sexuality.
Despite showing evidence of their marriage and his deep-rooted fear for his life, Judge Shirley Lazare-Raphael dismissed his case.
Smith and Mamadou witnessed the unfolding tragedy as federal agents whisked Mamadou away following the judgement.
He was sent to a holding facility in Nassau County after being detained, leaving his supporters anxious and devastated.
While Mamadou’s physical freedom was curtailed, he managed to contact Smith and Smrek several times, maintaining his spirit and resilience amidst the chaos.
Despite the dire circumstances, he displayed remarkable strength, reassuring his friends in their time of despair.
Feeling powerless after witnessing Mamadou’s distress, Smith reflected on the haunting last words Mamadou uttered before his arrest, “Fitz, they’re going to take me, you’re going to let them take me?”
The urgency to secure his release and prevent his deportation has never been greater for both Smith and Smrek as they mobilize support for Mamadou amidst the turmoil.
This struggle is reflected not just in their personal lives, but in the broader battle for the rights and safety of LGBTQ individuals navigating the perilous journey of seeking asylum in America.
image source from：thecity
