{"id":37116,"date":"2026-08-10T20:10:37","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T15:10:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=37116"},"modified":"2026-08-10T20:10:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T15:10:37","slug":"the-dumbest-thing-trans-american-comes-running-home-after-fleeing-us-recounts-horrors-of-european-asylum-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=37116","title":{"rendered":"&#8220;The Dumbest Thing&#8221;: Trans American Comes Running Home After Fleeing US, Recounts Horrors Of European Asylum Center"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><strong>Jane-Michelle Arc<\/strong> fled the U.S. fearing for her safety as a transgender woman, only to find herself desperate to return home after a <strong>harrowing<\/strong> experience at a <strong>Dutch asylum center<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Now back in San Francisco, the 48-year-old software engineer has called her decision to seek asylum in Europe \u201cthe <strong>dumbest thing<\/strong> I\u2019ve ever done.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Reacting to her ordeal, one person wrote online, \u201cThe grass isn\u2019t always greener on the other side.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-highlights\"><span class=\"h2\">Highlights<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"bullet-wrapper\"><i class=\"bullet\"\/><\/span><span>Jane-Michelle Arc fled the U.S. seeking asylum, but her experience at a Dutch refugee center left her desperate to return home.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"bullet-wrapper\"><i class=\"bullet\"\/><\/span><span>The transgender American said she feared for her safety at the very place where she expected to find protection.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"bullet-wrapper\"><i class=\"bullet\"\/><\/span><span>Her story highlights why many transgender Americans choose to relocate within the U.S. rather than attempt the difficult path of moving abroad.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Jane-Michelle Arc fled San Francisco to seek asylum in the Netherlands as a transgender woman<\/h3>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"Untitled-1-6a79c57c9294f__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?image_id=Untitled-1-6a79c57c9294f__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"The Dumbest Thing: Trans American Comes Running Home After Fleeing US, Recounts Horrors Of European Asylum Center\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?media_id=Untitled-1-6a79c57c9294f__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-1-6a79c57c9294f__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-1-6a79c57c9294f__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"589\" alt=\"A Trans American recounts horrors after fleeing US for European asylum center, standing indoors with drag queen art.\" title=\"A Trans American recounts horrors after fleeing US for European asylum center, standing indoors with drag queen art.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/druivenheks.substack.com\/p\/literary-soluble-fiber\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">druivenheks<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Her experiences of harassment and hostility fueled Arc\u2019s decision to leave the U.S. as a transgender woman, particularly one encounter outside her San Francisco home that became a turning point.<\/p>\n<p>Jane said a woman in a truck threatened her while she was crossing the street, an experience she described as \u201clife-changing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She also said harassment had made ordinary activities increasingly difficult, including using public women\u2019s restrooms.<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"jane-michelle-arc-48-transgender-136921882-6a79c59ef2d1d__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?image_id=jane-michelle-arc-48-transgender-136921882-6a79c59ef2d1d__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"The Dumbest Thing: Trans American Comes Running Home After Fleeing US, Recounts Horrors Of European Asylum Center\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?media_id=jane-michelle-arc-48-transgender-136921882-6a79c59ef2d1d__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/jane-michelle-arc-48-transgender-136921882-6a79c59ef2d1d__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/jane-michelle-arc-48-transgender-136921882-6a79c59ef2d1d__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"506\" alt=\"A Trans American recounts horrors after fleeing US for European asylum center, being interviewed outdoors by a reporter.\" title=\"A Trans American recounts horrors after fleeing US for European asylum center, being interviewed outdoors by a reporter.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@PowNews\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">PowNews<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>At one point, she stopped leaving home unless an Uber was waiting outside.<\/p>\n<p>Following the 2024 presidential election, she became <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/perez-hilton-first-words-from-hospital-bed-after-livestream\/\" class=\" staff-link\">increasingly worried<\/a> that political changes could further affect transgender people\u2019s rights and access to protections.<\/p>\n<p>She told the <em>Guardian<\/em> in an interview, \u201cI did it because I was afraid for my life. I didn\u2019t do this in secret. I talked to everybody I knew. I said, \u2018I am planning to do this wildly stupid thing.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>\u201cI did it because I was afraid for my life\u2026\u201d the 48-year-old said, reflecting on what drove her to leave the U.S.<\/h3>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"saying-feared-safety-trans-woman-136921248-6a79c5a5c52dc__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?image_id=saying-feared-safety-trans-woman-136921248-6a79c5a5c52dc__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"The Dumbest Thing: Trans American Comes Running Home After Fleeing US, Recounts Horrors Of European Asylum Center\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?media_id=saying-feared-safety-trans-woman-136921248-6a79c5a5c52dc__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/saying-feared-safety-trans-woman-136921248-6a79c5a5c52dc__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/saying-feared-safety-trans-woman-136921248-6a79c5a5c52dc__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"732\" alt=\"A Trans American recounts horrors after fleeing US for European asylum center, sitting indoors, looking serious.\" title=\"A Trans American recounts horrors after fleeing US for European asylum center, sitting indoors, looking serious.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><span data-aa-adunit=\"\/46481815\/bp.com_desktop_singlepost_bottom_728x90\" id=\"adverge-div-gpt-ad-1491844427478-6\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/druivenheks.substack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">druivenheks<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Arc eventually arrived at Ter Apel, the Netherlands\u2019 largest refugee reception center, expecting to find a safer environment.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, she described the experience as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/woman-discovers-husband-is-doing-more-than-just-cheating-after-hiring-private-investigator\/\" class=\" staff-link\">deeply frightening<\/a>, particularly because of the hostility she said she encountered from some other residents.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe situation I have in the US as a trans person, not good, right? But here, I will be hurt or ki**ed,\u201d Arc told Dutch outlet <em>Pow News<\/em>.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"700\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Transgender man who fled the U.S. over Trump\u2019s trans policies RETURNS to America after fearing for his safety in Arab refugee camp.<\/p>\n<p>Jane-Michelle Arc fled to Ter Apel, the largest refugee camp in the Netherlands following Trump\u2019s election- claiming he feared for his \u2018safety\u2019 in\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/vMAMzwCN4M\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/vMAMzwCN4M<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Oli London (@OliLondonTV) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/OliLondonTV\/status\/2086547473804165534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"nofollow\">August 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"2082531809548546409-png__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?image_id=2082531809548546409-png__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"The Dumbest Thing: Trans American Comes Running Home After Fleeing US, Recounts Horrors Of European Asylum Center\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?media_id=2082531809548546409-png__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2082531809548546409-png__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2082531809548546409-png__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"410\" alt=\"A tweet about a Trans American fleeing US to Canada and complaining about European asylum center conditions.\" title=\"A tweet about a Trans American fleeing US to Canada and complaining about European asylum center conditions.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/carl_andersonX\/status\/2082531809548546409?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">carl_andersonX<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The area surrounding Ter Apel was reportedly declared a safety-risk zone following multiple reports of violence.<\/p>\n<p>Arc said she became so concerned about her surroundings that even walking to a nearby grocery store felt unsafe.<\/p>\n<p>She said, \u201cIt is too dangerous to walk to the grocery store because of the people that live in the camp\u2026 there are so many stabbings.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"5fdc9b8e-abde-42a5-baff-206878f29eee-6a79c5aa71cda__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?image_id=5fdc9b8e-abde-42a5-baff-206878f29eee-6a79c5aa71cda__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"The Dumbest Thing: Trans American Comes Running Home After Fleeing US, Recounts Horrors Of European Asylum Center\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?media_id=5fdc9b8e-abde-42a5-baff-206878f29eee-6a79c5aa71cda__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/5fdc9b8e-abde-42a5-baff-206878f29eee-6a79c5aa71cda__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/5fdc9b8e-abde-42a5-baff-206878f29eee-6a79c5aa71cda__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"511\" alt=\"Individuals in a European asylum center after a Trans American recounts horrors of fleeing US.\" title=\"Individuals in a European asylum center after a Trans American recounts horrors of fleeing US.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><span data-aa-adunit=\"\/46481815\/bp.com_desktop_singleimage_bottom_728x90\" id=\"adverge-div-gpt-ad-1491844427478-3\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@PowNews\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">PowNews<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/influencer-paige-lillian-video-series-calling-out-people-looking-while-filming-public-joey-swoll\/\" class=\" staff-link\">experience was further complicated<\/a> by the fact that she was seeking asylum as a U.S. citizen, despite the Netherlands generally treating the U.S. as a safe country of origin.<\/p>\n<p>American applicants face a particularly high bar when trying to establish that they qualify for international protection.<\/p>\n<h3>Arc\u2019s asylum bid hit a major legal hurdle before she ultimately decided to return home for good<\/h3>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"Screenshot-2026-08-10-152837-6a79c5ae5f521__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?image_id=Screenshot-2026-08-10-152837-6a79c5ae5f521__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"The Dumbest Thing: Trans American Comes Running Home After Fleeing US, Recounts Horrors Of European Asylum Center\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?media_id=Screenshot-2026-08-10-152837-6a79c5ae5f521__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-10-152837-6a79c5ae5f521__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-10-152837-6a79c5ae5f521__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"590\" alt=\"A Trans American recounts horrors of a European asylum center after fleeing US, with a dog.\" title=\"A Trans American recounts horrors of a European asylum center after fleeing US, with a dog.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/druivenheks.substack.com\/p\/literary-soluble-fiber\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">druivenheks<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>General concerns about political developments or discrimination may not, on their own, satisfy the legal threshold for asylum.<\/p>\n<p>For Jane, the combination of that uncertainty and her experience at Ter Apel eventually became too much to bear.<\/p>\n<p>She returned to California in July, but her homecoming did not mean she suddenly felt that everything in the U.S. was fine.<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"Screenshot-2026-08-10-152907-6a79c5b750ca0__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?image_id=Screenshot-2026-08-10-152907-6a79c5b750ca0__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"The Dumbest Thing: Trans American Comes Running Home After Fleeing US, Recounts Horrors Of European Asylum Center\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?media_id=Screenshot-2026-08-10-152907-6a79c5b750ca0__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-10-152907-6a79c5b750ca0__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-10-152907-6a79c5b750ca0__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"619\" alt=\"A Trans American athlete, after fleeing US, recounts horrors of European asylum center conditions while running.\" title=\"A Trans American athlete, after fleeing US, recounts horrors of European asylum center conditions while running.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/druivenheks.substack.com\/p\/its-about-ethics-in-games-journalism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">druivenheks<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>According to the <em>New York Post<\/em>, Arc wrote on social media after returning home, \u201cAmerica is really, really loud and overwhelming. And <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/one-bar-two-americas-documentary-comparing-working-class-man-phd-woman\/\" class=\" staff-link\">everything is so expensive<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"\/><\/p>\n<p>She also acknowledged that she felt more \u201ccomfortable\u201d back home while continuing to describe the \u201ctransphobia\u201d she encountered as \u201cquite overt.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Thousands of trans Americans are relocating, but most aren\u2019t leaving the country due to practical and legal barriers<\/h3>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"Screenshot-2026-08-10-152823-6a79c5b5ac1ac__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?image_id=Screenshot-2026-08-10-152823-6a79c5b5ac1ac__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"The Dumbest Thing: Trans American Comes Running Home After Fleeing US, Recounts Horrors Of European Asylum Center\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?media_id=Screenshot-2026-08-10-152823-6a79c5b5ac1ac__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-10-152823-6a79c5b5ac1ac__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-10-152823-6a79c5b5ac1ac__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"663\" alt=\"Trans American wearing a gray hoodie, looking directly at the camera, highlighting her return to the US.\" title=\"Trans American wearing a gray hoodie, looking directly at the camera, highlighting her return to the US.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/druivenheks.substack.com\/p\/literary-soluble-fiber\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">druivenheks<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>According to multiple studies, domestic migration is far more common among transgender Americans than seeking asylum abroad.<\/p>\n<p>A Movement Advancement Project and NORC survey found that 9% of transgender adults had moved to another state since the November 2024 election because of reported hostile political climates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"9a24c837-ba0f-41aa-9671-aa41438e5b0e_3024x3024-6a79c64223186__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?image_id=9a24c837-ba0f-41aa-9671-aa41438e5b0e_3024x3024-6a79c64223186__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"The Dumbest Thing: Trans American Comes Running Home After Fleeing US, Recounts Horrors Of European Asylum Center\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?media_id=9a24c837-ba0f-41aa-9671-aa41438e5b0e_3024x3024-6a79c64223186__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/9a24c837-ba0f-41aa-9671-aa41438e5b0e_3024x3024-6a79c64223186__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/9a24c837-ba0f-41aa-9671-aa41438e5b0e_3024x3024-6a79c64223186__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"667\" alt=\"Trans American seated on a bus, wearing large sunglasses and a floral top, recounting horrors of European asylum center.\" title=\"Trans American seated on a bus, wearing large sunglasses and a floral top, recounting horrors of European asylum center.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/druivenheks.substack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">druivenheks<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Williams Institute has also <a href=\"https:\/\/williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu\/press\/trans-moving-press-release\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">reported<\/a> that 48% of trans adults surveyed had either moved or were considering moving to a state they viewed as more affirming.<\/p>\n<p>International relocation, meanwhile, comes with substantial financial and legal barriers.<\/p>\n<p>The Williams Institute found that 82% of respondents who wanted to leave the U.S. cited the cost of moving abroad as a barrier.<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"Screenshot-2026-08-10-152914-6a79c5b974475__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?image_id=Screenshot-2026-08-10-152914-6a79c5b974475__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"The Dumbest Thing: Trans American Comes Running Home After Fleeing US, Recounts Horrors Of European Asylum Center\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/trans-american-fled-us-returns-home-from-european-asylum-center\/?media_id=Screenshot-2026-08-10-152914-6a79c5b974475__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-10-152914-6a79c5b974475__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-10-152914-6a79c5b974475__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"612\" alt=\"Trans American in a cycling suit and helmet, riding a bicycle on a road, a stark contrast to her European asylum experience.\" title=\"Trans American in a cycling suit and helmet, riding a bicycle on a road, a stark contrast to her European asylum experience.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/druivenheks.substack.com\/p\/its-about-ethics-in-games-journalism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">druivenheks<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"\/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/jan\/19\/i-was-afraid-for-my-life-the-transgender-refugees-fleeing-trumps-america\" target=\"_blank\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Arc\u2019s experience<\/a> therefore highlights a difficult reality: despite wanting to leave, being able to establish a new life overseas legally can be almost impossible for many American citizens.<\/p>\n<p>For many transgender Americans, the more realistic response has been moving from states with restrictive policies to places offering stronger legal protections, such as New York, California, and Nevada.<\/p>\n<h3>\u201cShe found out it\u2019s not as easy as people think to seek asylum in other countries,\u201d one user wrote<\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"\/><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"\/> <\/p>\n<div id=\"postPoll-11047972\" class=\"post-poll poll-wrapper single-post\" data-poll-viewed=\"false\" data-post-id=\"11047972\" data-main-post-id=\"\" data-poll-id=\"29409\"> <input class=\"post-11047972-poll-value\" type=\"hidden\" value=\"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\"\/> <\/p>\n<div data-bind=\"if: isInitialised()\">\n<div data-bind=\"if: !isLoading() &amp;&amp; isShowingResults\">\n<div class=\"poll-content\">\n<h3 class=\"answered-content-title\">Thanks! Check out the results:<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"answered-content-question\" data-bind=\"text: currentQuestionText()\"\/>\n<p> <span class=\"text\">Total votes \u00b7 <\/span> <span data-bind=\"text: totalVotesFormatted\"\/> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <!-- Newsletter --> <\/p>\n<div class=\"subscribe-to-newsletter-block-wrapper\">\n<p>Newsletter<\/p>\n<div class=\"subscribe-to-newsletter-block\">\n<p><h3 class=\"title\">Subscribe to Access <br \/>Exclusive Polls<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"right\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/boredpanda\/images\/icons\/subscription-panda.svg\" alt=\"Subscribe to Access &lt;br\/&gt; Exclusive Polls\"\/> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"disclaimer\">\n<p>By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you&#8217;re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/privacy-policy\/\">Privacy Policy<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-bind=\"if: newsletterSubscribed\" class=\"thank-you\">\n<div class=\"wrapper\">\n<p class=\"right\">Thank you! You&#8217;ve successfully subscribed to newsletters!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <!-- Newsletter --> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script type=\"didomi\/javascript\">\nwindow._fbSDKPromise = window._fbSDKPromise || new Promise((resolve, reject) => {\nwindow.fbAsyncInit = function () {\nFB.init({\nappId  : '887842622821495',\nversion: 'v17.0',\nstatus : true,\ncookie : true,\nxfbml  : false\n});\nresolve(FB);\n};\n\/\/ Load SDK only once\nif (!document.getElementById('facebook-jssdk')) {\nconst script = document.createElement('script');\nscript.id = 'facebook-jssdk';\nscript.async = true;\nscript.src = `https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/${BoredPanda.Config.wp_lang}\/sdk.js`;\nscript.onerror = reject;\ndocument.head.appendChild(script);\n}\n});\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jane-Michelle Arc fled the U.S. fearing for her safety as a transgender woman, only to find herself desperate to return home after a harrowing experience at a Dutch asylum center. Now back in San Francisco, the 48-year-old software engineer has called her decision to seek asylum in Europe \u201cthe dumbest thing I\u2019ve ever done.\u201d Reacting&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37117,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fb_image_6a79c93ecd0d4.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsweek-trending"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37116","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=37116"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37116\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/37117"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=37116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=37116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=37116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}