ASYLUM

Okporo chronicles his experience seeking asylum in the U.S. after being persecuted in his home country of Nigeria for being gay.

The author first realized he was gay in boarding school, when he had a sexual encounter with a fellow male student. Unfortunately, that student later used this moment of intimacy to out Okporo to his school and strictly traditional Christian family. “If everyone found out I was gay,” he writes, “I would be completely ex-communicated, not only from my peers at the school but also from my church.” Okporo also understood that living as an openly gay activist in Nigeria was untenable and even dangerous, a truth he experienced firsthand when he was beaten by a mob. “I was flogged with sticks, cutlasses, and anything they could find,” he writes, “beating me unconscious while children sang and cheered and clapped behind us. Gay! Gay! Gay!” Fearing for his life, Okporo fled to the U.S. with only $126. When he arrived, he was placed in the Elizabeth Detention Center in New Jersey, where he waited for his asylum hearing. After his claim was granted, Okporo became an immigrants rights activist determined to help other refugees and asylees. As the author poignantly notes in conclusion, “Home is not just where you feel safe and welcome. It is also about how you can make it feel safe and welcoming for others.” Okporo’s voice vibrates with passion and hope, and his detailed descriptions of his experiences are the most riveting parts of the book. He expertly interweaves his story with statistical and historical details about the perils of the U.S. immigration system. At times, the writing jumps between timelines and arguments, rendering certain sections less cohesive than others. Nonetheless, the author has a remarkable story, and his humane message shines through.

A moving story from an inspiring activist for social justice.