Trailblazing Brazilian Lawmaker Declines US Visit

Erika Hilton cites concerns over Trump-era policies as reason for avoiding America.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 1:00pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty government office space, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows casting an unsettling mood, conceptually representing the political unease and isolation felt by vulnerable populations considering travel to the United States.The decision by a pioneering Brazilian lawmaker to avoid visiting the United States under a Trump-led administration reflects broader global concerns over the country's political climate for marginalized groups.Cambridge Today

Erika Hilton, the first Black transgender woman elected to the Brazilian Congress, declined to travel to the United States in April 2025 to speak at the annual Brazil Conference at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Hilton, who was set to attend as part of her official diplomatic duties, cited fears over how she might be treated under a Trump-era administration as the reason for avoiding the trip.

Why it matters

Hilton's decision highlights the challenges and concerns that LGBTQ+ individuals, especially those from marginalized communities, can face when traveling to the United States, particularly during politically divisive periods. Her refusal to set foot in the country under a Trump presidency reflects broader global perceptions of the U.S. as an increasingly unwelcoming environment for vulnerable populations.

The details

Hilton, who made history in 2024 as the first Black transgender woman elected to Brazil's Congress, was invited to speak at the prestigious Brazil Conference hosted by Harvard and MIT. However, she ultimately declined the invitation, citing fears over how she might be treated as a transgender woman of color under a Trump-led administration.

  • Hilton was set to speak at the Brazil Conference in April 2025.

The players

Erika Hilton

The first Black transgender woman elected to the Brazilian Congress.

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What they’re saying

“I am afraid of what might happen to someone like me under an administration like Donald Trump's.”

— Erika Hilton, Brazilian Congresswoman

The takeaway

Hilton's decision to avoid the U.S. during the Trump presidency underscores the ongoing challenges facing LGBTQ+ individuals, especially those from marginalized communities, when it comes to traveling to and feeling safe in the United States. Her refusal to participate in the Harvard and MIT conference highlights the broader global perceptions of the U.S. as an increasingly unwelcoming environment for vulnerable populations.