Tere, a transgender woman who fled Venezuela seeking safety and a chance for a new life, recently shared her story of resilience and hope in Chicago.
After arriving in the United States in 2023, Tere quickly secured a steady job as a cleaner, a significant achievement considering her difficult journey through several countries to escape violence and discrimination.
Reflecting on her recent purchase of a living room furniture set for her two-bedroom apartment on Chicago’s South Side, she eagerly revealed how she negotiated the price down from $1,300 to $700, a luxury made possible by her new employment.
Paying in installments of $100 and $200 has provided Tere with a sense of accomplishment and stability, a stark contrast to the hardships she faced back in Venezuela, where anti-trans and anti-gay sentiment made life unbearable.
“I came to this country to start a new life, because of the human rights protections we have here,” Tere explained in Spanish, expressing her fears about the political shifts under President Donald Trump’s administration that threaten immigrants and transgender rights.
Since the beginning of the Trump administration, policies and executive orders have increasingly targeted transgender individuals, leaving Tere anxious about her future in the U.S. equipped only with the hope of her pending asylum application.
Tere’s traumatic experiences in Venezuela marked her childhood, filled with harassment and violence. She recounted how she was physically attacked as a child simply for expressing her identity.
At 25, she faced an attempted rape but was saved by a neighbor. Despite fleeing to Colombia and Peru in hopes of a better life, discrimination followed her, leading her to the harrowing journey through the Darién Gap to the U.S.
Upon her arrival, her immigration process became complicated due to her official documents reflecting her deadname, making it difficult when she reached her immigration appointment. Fortunately, she successfully navigated the system using the CBP One app, designed to help migrants seeking asylum enter the U.S.
However, her initial experience in the shelter system was far from welcoming. Tere faced harassment, hostility, and a lack of respect for her gender identity, highlighting the challenges many queer immigrants endure.
In one incident, she recalls being confronted by a staffer who insisted she use the men’s bathroom despite self-identifying as female. Tere stood firm, asserting her identity by using the women’s restroom regardless of opposition.
Despite the discrimination, Tere persevered. She found an apartment and a job that allows her access to essential healthcare services, including HIV treatment and gender-affirming care.
Yet, the shadow of deportation looms large. Following Trump’s re-election, new executive orders have further jeopardized the safety of transgender individuals and the immigration status of many like Tere.
Furthermore, the increased focus on deporting migrants, even those without criminal records, amplifies Tere’s fears. Recent threats from Trump to send the National Guard into sanctuary cities like Chicago to enforce immigration laws have left many asylum seekers deeply concerned.
Health advocates warn that potential cuts to healthcare programs that support immigrants could impact Tere and her peers significantly, raising critical concerns about their future access to medical care.
Tere’s journey has been long and fraught with obstacles. Growing up in Venezuela, she always knew she was a woman, but societal and familial opposition forced her to continuously defend her identity.
Her mother’s reaction to discovering Tere’s feelings for boys was brutal, leading to physical abuse and multiple therapy sessions aimed at changing her behavior. Estranged from her family, Tere became independent at a young age.
Transitioning physically and socially took immense courage. At 15, she began embracing her femininity, ultimately getting breast implants at 25.
Despite the significant challenges, Tere found herself working in a nursing home, where most colleagues were respectful.
However, she faced ongoing intimidation and discrimination, particularly from some coworkers and supervisors who continued to use her deadname despite her protests. The environment became increasingly hostile, reminiscent of the political climate under President Trump, which Tere believes emboldens such mistreatment.
Despite the negative circumstances she faces, Tere remains resolute about not returning to Venezuela. The journey to the U.S., filled with peril and uncertainty, was meant to grant her a life free from judgment and violence.
As she navigates the complexities of life in a new country, Tere knows she must remain strong and vigilant while grappling with the ever-present fear of losing the stability she has worked so hard to achieve.
“I’ve had to be strong. I’ve had to fight alone,” Tere said, bravely confronting the challenges ahead. “Now, with the current situation [in the U.S.], I’m really scared. But I leave it in God’s hands.”
image source from：wbez
