VICTORY! RABIU MUSAH WON HIS RIGHT TO STAY IN THE U.S.!
VICTORY! RABIU MUSAH WON HIS RIGHT TO STAY IN THE U.S.!
Congratulations and thank you to all who support his struggle and the rights of LGBT+ asylum seekers, LGBT+ and immigrant rights. This is a victory for the new civil rights, immigrant rights, LGBT+ rights, and women’s rights movement. Now we must go on the offensive and demand the Biden administration expand TPS programs to LGBT+ refugees and asylum seekers and to stop building the southern border wall!
On October 24, 2023, after months of preparation and organizing by Rabiu Musah, BAMN, and his supporters, Mr. Musah WON in immigration court. Judge Judy Stuckey decided to grant Rabiu immigration relief–withholding of removal–to Rabiu Musah. This means he secured his right to remain in the United States and protection from anti-LGBT+ persecution in Ghana. This victory also belongs to all of those who rallied, protested, publicly spoke, and circulated and signed the petition in support of Rabiu Musah’s freedom.
This victory is made possible not only by Rabiu’s own determination to fight, but also countless international supporters who took part in the movement under BAMN’s leadership. Rabiu’s victory is indeed an extraordinary one. Refugees in Rabiu’s situation–crossing the southern border the second time after having been deported, having limited contact to the community in the United States and resources for legal representation–often do not stand a chance of winning their cases facing the immigration deportation machine.
There is nothing democratic nor fair about the United States’ immigration courts. Hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers go through the immigration courts everyday getting deportation orders without seeing the light of the day. The fight for Rabiu Musah has garnered so much support that multiple expert witnesses offered to testify on Ghana’s country conditions and anti-LGBT persecutions in Rabiu’s case without charging a single dime.
Masses of people signed Rabiu’s petition internationally. Protests were held at U.S. embassies and college campuses. Dozens of supporters showed up attending his court hearing. All the public support and public scrutiny on the immigration court made Musah’s judge feel and act far more accountable than she would have otherwise.
Rabiu’s victory could not have been won without the movement’s leadership and support. Fighting for and winning Rabiu’s freedom provided the movement an opportunity to intervene in the United States immigration policy, its imperialist policies in Ghana and other African countries. We know LGBT+ people in Ghana and across Africa are scapegoated for the social, economic, and political crisis created by their own governments and ruling classes but actively driven by right-wing organizations from United States and Western imperialist policies.
The Biden administration must be held accountable to address the anti-LGBT+ humanitarian crisis in Africa by expanding TPS programs to LGBT+ refugees and asylum seekers. The Biden administration must not continue Trump’s policy of building the Southern border wall. We pledge to expand on Musah’s legal/political victory for the broader movement. We are sick and tired of the broken promises made by both major political parties.
This victory is sorely needed, especially now with Israel’s genocidal attack on Gaza, backed by the United States and Western imperialist powers. BAMN stands with the Palestinian people. We invite all who joined us to win Rabiu Musah’s struggle for freedom to join BAMN and join us to build the movement for the Palestinians’ struggle for freedom. We have the power to stand up to our own imperialist governments to win victories for oppressed peoples across the world.
Donate to BAMN now and help us continue to carryout our vital work for LGBT+ and immigrant rights. Internationalism is a vital principal of our movement, and our work is more necessary than ever before. Contributions to BAMN support basic costs for direct mass organizing in the streets and our legal work in the courts. BAMN is an all volunteer organization. Donate to BAMN HERE: https://givebutter.com/YIPJ3d or TEXT “4BAMN” to (202) 858-1233.
URGENT: help BAMN mobilize students and community members from Detroit to the Nov. 4 National March on Washington to Free Palestine. We are booking busses from Detroit, and your donation of $50 (or whatever you can contribute) can help another Detroit student and community member to have their voices heard at the nation’s capital. Contribute here: https://gofund.me/4a69348a
