A 48-year-old software engineer from San Francisco named Jane-Michelle Arc fled the United States, claiming he faced severe transphobia in his home state. He traveled to the Netherlands and was granted asylum, being placed in Ter Apel asylum center — a facility housing refugees from diverse backgrounds including Moroccans, Eritreans, Somalis, Algerians, and Syrians.
Arc described living in fear in the San Francisco Bay Area, stating he could not leave his home unless an Uber was waiting outside. He recounted a harrowing incident where he feared being run over by a truck.
After seeking asylum in the Netherlands, Arc said he initially faced skepticism but later received a train ticket to Ter Apel and was directed to report to immigration authorities.
In Ter Apel, Arc described living in cramped conditions: confined to a small room with graffiti-covered walls, potential exposure to body fluids, and limited access to basic necessities. He also reported witnessing violence outside the camp, including stabbings and brawls among residents.
Arc stated: “The situation I have in the U.S. as a trans person, not good right, but here, I will be hurt or killed.” He added that moving to Ter Apel meant living in constant fear of violence from individuals he described as part of the camp community.
Dutch officials acknowledge that Ter Apel is an overcrowded facility with reports of stabbings and violent brawls. The Red Cross has noted that aid volunteers feel unsafe on-site due to uncontrolled violence.
Arc, who previously stated his mental health was “degrading so substantially” because of danger in the United States, now says he must return to America but fears for his safety in both countries.