The number of people who voluntarily applied for asylum decreased by 48 percent between 2001 and 2007. During the same period, the number of people deported increased by two and a half times. [Chart]

"In many cases, immigrants won't apply affirmatively because they don't want to be placed on immigration's radar," said Jonathan Eoloff, an attorney for the National Immigrant Justice Center, an organization focusing on gay asylum in Chicago, Ill.

The drop in asylum applications does not necessarily correlate to rising deportation numbers, but it underscores the apprehension among immigrants to voluntarily present themselves to immigration authorities. An unintended consequence of expanded homeland security measures is that many in need of asylum have been discouraged from applying.

Despite the risk of deportation, Solomon felt he could not return to his native Guyana for fear of further persecution. Unlike many immigrants who find refuge in the safe haven the U.S. provides—albeit illegally—Solomon decided to file a petition for asylum to obtain legal residency.

"I lived in constant fear that I would not be able to put up this facade," Solomon said. "Knowing who you are inside and pretending to be somebody else takes everything from you."

At age 16, Solomon left his home in rural Linden, Guyana after years of emotional and physical abuse. He worked his way through the University of Guyana and served in Georgetown's city police force.

Pressured to prove his masculinity to fellow police officers, Solomon had a one-night stand with a woman. His son, Dane, Jr., is now 14-years-old and lives with Solomon's mother.

Solomon left the force after two years, joining the Red Cross and then the United Nations as a health educator in Guyana. On a U.N. visit to the U.S. in 2001 he participated in his first Gay Pride Parade.

"I saw the freedom of people to express themselves for who they are," Solomon said. "All I wanted to do was love somebody freely and be loved."