The decision has come down and Temidayo is finally being granted the protection he needs to remain here in safety. I am profoundly relieved to share this news and to know that his future is no longer in jeopardy. Thank you for walking this path alongside us while we waited …
June 11, 2017
Final supporters
We the undersigned ask that our dear friend Temidayo Arowosegbe be granted asylum in the United States. Dayo (as he is known to his friends) came here from Nigeria on a student visa when he was 17, hoping to make a better life for himself.
As a member of the LGBT community, Dayo had particular reason to be afraid. In his native country, an Islamic terrorist group called Boko Haram has killed over 20,000 people, caused at least 250,000 to flee Nigeria, and has displaced approximately 2.3 million people. Aside from terrorist concerns, the Nigerian government also criminalizes same-sex relationships, which carry punishments of up to 14 years in prison, or death by stoning in some instances.
I (the writer of this petition) am an ordained priest at Dayo's church, and prior to his detainment have had several conversations with Dayo about his fear of returning to Nigeria. It is clear to me that it would not be in his best interests to return to his native country, nor would he be easily able to hide his LGBT status from the world, even should he want to. It is a fundamental part of who he is.
Beyond this, Dayo is a real asset to his community. He is kind and sensitive, very bright, and incredibly hard working. His love for America as a nation exceeds that of many native-born Americans that I've met. He also has a deeply held sense of honor. You can count on Dayo to be honest and follow through on his obligations.
We the undersigned humbly ask the judge and any other officers of the court to take this into consideration when determining his bond and when evaluating his request for asylum. Dayo has become a member of our family and his life is in your hands.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
April 17, 2017
37 Comments
I hope Dayo gets the chance at liberty that he can not get in his home country. Every Man and every Woman has the inalienable right to be who they are. If sent back to his country I fear that we, as a nation who prides itself on liberty and justice, are sending an innocent and beloved man to his death. Please let him be granted asylum.
Dayo exemplifies everything we would want in an immigrant to our great country. He is loyal, caring, responsible, and wishes to make a positive contribution to our society at large. Granting him asylum will demonstrate that the words upon the Statue of Liberty aren't just empty platitudes, but a guiding principle.
No one should be deported back to a country that persecutes LGBTQ people. His fear of persecution justifies granting asylum.
Considering the lethal treatment of members of the LGBT community in Nigeria it would be a death sentence to force this member of our community to leave the safe-haven he has in America. It is our responsibility as Americans to uphold the rights to life and liberty of those in certain need. Please grant him asylum.
I confirm Dayo has been open about the dangers of people like him living in Nigeria. He is free here to pursue his freedom of religion and to not have his life in danger because of his sexual preferences. I have also been witness to his love of this country in conversations we have had. It would be a travesty for a young man, finally able to be himself, to be taken back to a place where he will have to go back into hiding or risk execution.
America needs this man.
Please grant this young man the chance to live in our country.
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The decision has come down and Temidayo is finally being granted the protection he needs to remain here in safety. I am profoundly relieved to share this news and to know that his future is no longer in jeopardy. Thank you for walking this path alongside us while we waited …
June 11, 2017
Final supporters
We the undersigned ask that our dear friend Temidayo Arowosegbe be granted asylum in the United States. Dayo (as he is known to his friends) came here from Nigeria on a student visa when he was 17, hoping to make a better life for himself.
As a member of the LGBT community, Dayo had particular reason to be afraid. In his native country, an Islamic terrorist group called Boko Haram has killed over 20,000 people, caused at least 250,000 to flee Nigeria, and has displaced approximately 2.3 million people. Aside from terrorist concerns, the Nigerian government also criminalizes same-sex relationships, which carry punishments of up to 14 years in prison, or death by stoning in some instances.
I (the writer of this petition) am an ordained priest at Dayo's church, and prior to his detainment have had several conversations with Dayo about his fear of returning to Nigeria. It is clear to me that it would not be in his best interests to return to his native country, nor would he be easily able to hide his LGBT status from the world, even should he want to. It is a fundamental part of who he is.
Beyond this, Dayo is a real asset to his community. He is kind and sensitive, very bright, and incredibly hard working. His love for America as a nation exceeds that of many native-born Americans that I've met. He also has a deeply held sense of honor. You can count on Dayo to be honest and follow through on his obligations.
We the undersigned humbly ask the judge and any other officers of the court to take this into consideration when determining his bond and when evaluating his request for asylum. Dayo has become a member of our family and his life is in your hands.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
April 17, 2017
37 Comments
I implore for justice and asylum for Dayo. He has been an upstanding member of our community and our church for some time. Certainly long enough to demonstrate his character; he is thoughtful, compassionate, driven and honorable. He is surrounded by people who care about him and his well-being because of the person that he is. To send Dayo back to Nigeria would be to deliver him to Boko Haram. No human should suffer death for who they are. Please release Dayo to his community so that we can support him through this process. Thank you.
I hope Dayo gets the chance at liberty that he can not get in his home country. Every Man and every Woman has the inalienable right to be who they are. If sent back to his country I fear that we, as a nation who prides itself on liberty and justice, are sending an innocent and beloved man to his death. Please let him be granted asylum.
Dayo exemplifies everything we would want in an immigrant to our great country. He is loyal, caring, responsible, and wishes to make a positive contribution to our society at large. Granting him asylum will demonstrate that the words upon the Statue of Liberty aren't just empty platitudes, but a guiding principle.
No one should be deported back to a country that persecutes LGBTQ people. His fear of persecution justifies granting asylum.
Considering the lethal treatment of members of the LGBT community in Nigeria it would be a death sentence to force this member of our community to leave the safe-haven he has in America. It is our responsibility as Americans to uphold the rights to life and liberty of those in certain need. Please grant him asylum.
I confirm Dayo has been open about the dangers of people like him living in Nigeria. He is free here to pursue his freedom of religion and to not have his life in danger because of his sexual preferences. I have also been witness to his love of this country in conversations we have had. It would be a travesty for a young man, finally able to be himself, to be taken back to a place where he will have to go back into hiding or risk execution.
America needs this man.
Please grant this young man the chance to live in our country.
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I implore for justice and asylum for Dayo. He has been an upstanding member of our community and our church for some time. Certainly long enough to demonstrate his character; he is thoughtful, compassionate, driven and honorable. He is surrounded by people who care about him and his well-being because of the person that he is. To send Dayo back to Nigeria would be to deliver him to Boko Haram. No human should suffer death for who they are. Please release Dayo to his community so that we can support him through this process. Thank you.