Trans Actors Who Openly Speak Against ICE
The intersection of transgender rights and immigration reform has become a significant focal point for many high-profile entertainers in Hollywood. Several trans actors have utilized their public platforms to criticize the practices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), particularly regarding the treatment of LGBTQ+ detainees in federal custody. These individuals advocate for systemic changes, ranging from improved medical care for asylum seekers to the total abolition of the agency. By participating in rallies, signing petitions, and sharing educational resources, these actors work to highlight the unique vulnerabilities faced by trans migrants in the American legal system.
Indya Moore
Indya Moore, known for their breakout role in ‘Pose’, frequently uses their platform to advocate for the abolition of ICE and the closure of detention centers. They have participated in numerous social media campaigns and public demonstrations highlighting the vulnerability of trans immigrants in custody. Moore has explicitly called for the redirection of funds from enforcement agencies toward community resources and healthcare for marginalized populations. Their advocacy emphasizes the intersectional struggles of being Black, trans, and an ally to the immigrant community.
Sara Ramirez
Sara Ramirez, who appeared in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘And Just Like That…’, has been a consistent critic of the treatment of the LGBTQ+ community by federal immigration authorities. They have collaborated with organizations like True Colors United to bring attention to the specific dangers trans people face in immigration detention. Ramirez has publicly signed letters and used their social media presence to demand an end to enforcement measures like the “Stay in Mexico” policy. Their activism focuses on the documented human rights violations within the federal immigration system.
Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox, the trailblazing star of ‘Orange Is the New Black’, has frequently spoken out against the systemic issues within the U.S. immigration system. She has lent her voice to campaigns calling for the release of trans women held in ICE detention centers, citing reports of abuse and medical neglect. Cox has highlighted the story of Roxsana Hernández, a trans woman who died in custody, as a catalyst for necessary institutional reform. Her public statements often address how immigration enforcement disproportionately impacts the most marginalized members of the trans community.
Angelica Ross
Angelica Ross, featured in ‘Pose’ and ‘American Horror Story’, is a prominent advocate for civil rights who has openly criticized the operations of ICE. She has spoken at rallies and used her digital platform to advocate for the “Free Them All” movement, which includes those held in immigration detention. Ross emphasizes that trans liberation is inextricably linked to the dismantling of punitive systems that target vulnerable immigrant populations. Her work through TransTech Social Enterprises also supports trans individuals who may be navigating the complexities of the legal and immigration systems.
Elliot Page
Elliot Page, star of ‘The Umbrella Academy’, has consistently supported immigrant rights and condemned the practices of ICE. He has used his social media to amplify calls for the abolition of the agency and the end of family separations at the border. Page has also promoted documentaries and resources that detail the struggles of trans migrants seeking asylum in the United States. His activism frequently links environmental justice, trans rights, and the necessity of dismantling restrictive immigration enforcement.
Please share your thoughts on the advocacy work of these trans actors in the comments.