LGBTQ+ group fights back after ‘beloved’ Guatemalan drag queen detained by ICE in San Francisco
Hilary Rivers has been released by ICE and granted asylum. (Instagram/hilary_riversh)
Hilary Rivers has been released by ICE and granted asylum. (Instagram/hilary_riversh)
A drag queen has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in San Francisco.
Guatemalan drag performer Hilary Rivers had just heard a judge at his scheduled asylum hearing deny the government’s motion to dismiss his application. He was arrested as he left the courtroom.
Rivers moved to the US after being persecuted for being gay in his homeland.
Although same-sex relations are legal in Guatemala, the country does not recognise same-sex marriage or civil unions and LGBTQ+ individuals face significant legal and social challenges.
San Francisco Pride has called on members of the LGBTQ+ community to write letters of solidarity to Rivers and sign up for updates through its Google form.
The group’s statement read: “San Francisco Pride vehemently rejects the continued attacks on immigrant communities by the federal administration [and Supreme Court] rulings, and the splintering of our communities by ICE, on the basis of violations to due process and our city’s sanctuary policy.
“San Francisco is the vibrant city we know today because of the contributions of immigrants, especially queer immigrants. We stand shoulder to shoulder with [community mental health and wellness service] Instituto Familiar de la Raza (IFR), queer Latinx leaders and Hilary’s chosen family as we figure out how to support his immediate release from ICE detention.”
Galería de la Raza, a not-for-profit art gallery that focuses on Xicane/Latine culture, also voiced support for Rivers, whom they described as a “beloved community member”.
Last month, a clip of RuPaul’s Drag Race star Alaska’s powerful attack on ICE raids went viral.
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