Washington, DC – On Tuesday, SEARAC proudly commemorated a historic 50th year of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement during a virtual event that convened community leaders nationwide in celebration of the recently introduced Southeast Asian American (SEAA) 50th year anniversary resolution.
Reflecting on five decades of resilience and the future of SEAA communities, the event closes out a year-long series of celebrations across the country uplifting the history, strength, and cultural richness of SEAA communities.
The panelists shared their personal stories, organizational perspectives, and visions for the future:
- Linh Chuong, Policy Chair, PIVOT: “This national resolution doesn’t just honor our historical wartime contributions, it recognizes and reaffirms that our refugee and immigrant communities are Americans who are continuously and tremendously contributing to building up a better America. We are not only survivors of deep trauma – we’re also incredibly (culturally) wealthy. Our community’s cultural wealth is America’s cultural, political, and economic wealth. In this moment of so much divisiveness and hateful, fearmongering rhetoric, it was important for us to unite together and think about how we’re going to fight for our communities moving forward. What I love about this commemorative resolution is that we aren’t just commemorating the past; it’s a joint statement about our future. It’s a call to action for more policies that protect and expand the opportunities, hopes, and dreams of our communities.”
- Sera Koulabdara, CEO, Legacies of War: “Thank you Congressman Derek Tran and Sen. Hirono for your leadership in making sure that this resolution exists and that we’re able to celebrate today.This resolution isn’t just about remembering the history, it’s about validating Southeast Asian American experiences and our contribution to the fabric of American society. This is our shared history. Everything that we stand for and everything that matters to our community should also matter to America and to our leaders. We want to remind all Americans that this is our shared history. For Legacies of War, this means that the long reckoning of war must be a shared responsibility between the United States and Southeast Asian leaders including cleaning up bombs in Southeast Asia, Agent Orange remediation, survivor assistance, and providing space to heal the wounds of war as we move on to the next 50 years.”
- Sun H, Campaign Manager, Southeast Asia Freedom Network: “As deportations of Southeast Asians have increased, the 50th anniversary resolution is a critical moment for Congress to acknowledge the US government’s responsibility for the wars in Southeast Asia and its long-term impact on our refugee communities. Southeast Asians are in the United States because the United States were in our homeland first. Over 1.2 million Southeast Asians were resettled after 1975, yet many received inadequate support and were later harmed by punitive policies such as the War on Drugs, the 1994 Crime Bill, and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA), which expanded the deportable offenses and applied them retroactively. This resolution is not just about remembrance, it’s about repair.”
- Vattana Peong, The Cambodian Family: “Having national recognition like this for our community is so important. For the last 50 years, community-based organizations, grassroots leaders, and national advocates, like The Cambodian Family, have been instrumental in helping our communities rebuild from war, genocide, and resettlement. Today, there are more than 3 million Southeast Asians living in the United States. A national resolution acknowledges the 50th anniversary as part of our country’s broader fabric, recognizing the United States’ role in welcoming refugees and immigrants, upholding human dignity, and reaffirming our commitment to justice and opportunity for all who seek refuge.”
Quyên Đinh, Executive Director of SEARAC, emphasized the deep meaning of this moment for both SEAA communities and the nation:
“As America approaches its 250th birthday, we’re reminded that the Southeast Asian refugee story is the American story. Our communities didn’t just rebuild their lives here — they helped build America itself. And as we step into the next 50 years, we’re inviting the country to celebrate with us, uplift us, and join us in ensuring the opportunities all families deserve.”
Tuesday’s event marked both a celebration and a call to action. SEARAC extends gratitude to Rep. Tran and Sen. Hirono for championing this resolution and urges all members of Congress to stand with SEAA communities as we continue to advance equity, belonging, and opportunity for all.
ACTION ALERT: Urge Congressional Leadership to Adopt the Resolution Commemorating Southeast Asian Refugees
Last week, US Rep. Derek Tran (D-CA45) and US Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) introduced a national resolution in the House and the Senate recognizing 2025 as the 50th anniversary of the resettlement of Southeast Asian refugees. The resolution commemorates SEAA contributions to the United States and calls for the advancement of policies to provide SEAA communities and all immigrant and refugee communities with greater opportunities.
Here are actions you can take:
- Sign the open letter to show your support for this historic resolution
- Reshare our open letter to your social media and tag SEARAC on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky