A longtime advocate for immigrant, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities, Arely Westley works with numerous organizations in New Orleans to uplift LGBTQ+ youth, to stop abuses in ICE detention facilities, and to expand access to immigrant support services. Westley was recognized as this year’s RFK Human Rights Award laureate for her tireless efforts to combat injustice and speak truth to power. The event was moderated by Amelie Labbe, a student at New Harmony High School in New Orleans.
Arely began the discussion by recounting her experience coming to the United States at 10 years old, recalling that she has “been fighting against the system since she can remember as a trans Latina woman.” Sharing her story of being unjustly detained and then deported, she described the terrible conditions in immigration detention facilities including inadequate food and lack of access to healthcare. Additionally, she spoke about how the lack of translators and interpreters and legal representation means that individuals in detention are often coerced into signing deportation agreements and do not have their claims appropriately considered.
Outside of detention, she described how trans immigrant women face a double-bind— combatting both anti-trans and anti-immigrant discrimination, which often leaves them struggling to find housing and work. This double-bind inspired her to begin her work at Breakout, where she is now Campaign Director, an organization working to empower Black and Latinx trans youth through leadership development programs.
Arely reminded the audience to maintain hope. She spoke about her new chapter in January, launching the Central New Orleans Abolition project. She emphasized the importance of supporting as much community as we can under a second Trump administration. She hopes that her work can inspire others to keep fighting to protect human rights—to “show up and be bold for the community.”
Watch the full conversation here.
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