Naomi Seibt, a German activist who has gained notoriety as the "anti-Greta" for her conservative stance, which starkly contrasts with the liberal views of climate activist Greta Thunberg, has expressed her desire to leave Germany due to perceived threats to her safety.
Seibt has relocated to the United States and is currently seeking asylum, asserting that her freedom of speech is under threat in her home country.
According to Fox News, Seibt has applied for asylum under Section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, citing potential harm or imprisonment if she were to return to Germany. "I have now applied for asylum, which means that Im waiting for an interview. And, in the meantime, Im here legally," Seibt stated.
She further expressed her aspiration to become an American citizen, lauding the hope and opportunities the country has offered her.
Seibt's decision to seek asylum is backed by tech mogul Elon Musk, with whom she communicated in 2024 following her commentary on the German elections. "Over the course of last year, I was obviously retweeted a lot by Elon Musk, and I interacted with him personally in private messages just about whats going on in Germany," she revealed.
Musk's apprehension about the situation in Europe and his confirmation of the high threat level played a significant role in Seibt's decision to apply for asylum.
Seibt has accused the German government of surveillance and a lack of protection. "In 2024, I found out that I had been spied on by German intelligence for years. Simultaneously, I keep receiving death threats from antifa," she disclosed. Despite these threats, she claims that the German police have been unresponsive, stating, "I am not getting protection from the German government even though I am at major risk of potentially being killed."
Seibt's fear is that her criticism of German politicians could be used against her, leading to her arrest upon return to Germany. She gained international attention for her opposition to the climate change narrative propagated by Thunberg. "I was barely 19 years old and never expected to be recognized as a right-wing figure. The German media called me the anti-Greta; they demonized me as the anti-Greta, like an anti-Christ for Greta Thunberg. Im Naomi Seibt and want to be recognized as who I am because Im not just some puppet poster figure for the right wing," she asserted.
As reported by Newsweek, German officials have labeled the Alternative for Germany Party (AfD), with which Seibt is associated, as a "right-wing extremist" group. The AfD dismisses this characterization as liberal rhetoric, arguing that its core principles of mass deportations, nationalism, traditional Christian values, and a strong stance against Islam resonate with the German populace.
Seibt's asylum application comes at a time when the Trump administration is reportedly contemplating changes to refugee policy that would prioritize political persecution as a primary criterion for admission, as per The New York Times. The report suggests that President Donald Trump is being urged to prioritize European conservatives who have been "targeted for peaceful expression of views online such as opposition to mass migration or support for 'populist' political parties."
Seibt's case underscores the ongoing debate about freedom of speech and the political climate in Europe. It also highlights the potential changes in U.S. refugee policy, which could have far-reaching implications for individuals like Seibt who feel persecuted for their conservative views.
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