OTTAWA - A trans woman does not believe she would have been able to stay in Canada if the refugee rules outlined in the government's new border bill were in effect.

Asya Medea came to Canada in 2018 on a student visa to begin a PhD in gender, sexuality and women's studies at Toronto's York University. Due to a combination of worsening health conditions and growing danger for LGBTQ+ people in Turkey, Medea filed a refugee claim about 18 months after arriving.

"Turkey had become increasingly transphobic and the regulations in Turkey had begun specifically and personally targeting people, including me. So back in that time, I didn't have any other option," Medea said.

"So my conditions and the conditions in Turkey, made me a refugee."

Medea said her refugee application was approved in 202

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