Pakistani Faces Deportion from U.S. Immigration

According to sources, a Pakistani man with HIV is fighting deportation from the United States and seeking asylum.

The man, who wishes to be identified only by his initials, S.K., fears persecution based on his sexual orientation and HIV status if he is returned to his homeland.

Under Pakistani law, being gay is punishable by death. LGBT people are forced to live in secrecy and constant fear of exposure, a legal brief said.

An Immigration judge disputed the risk and denied S.K.’s application for asylum.

The judge held that S.K., who has HIV and was in a committed relationship with a man in Minnesota, could avoid persecution by hiding his sexual orientation, marrying a woman, and having children.

The Board of Immigration Appeals originally upheld the Immigration Judge’s decision and is now reviewing the case a second time.