SEAAs and other immigrant and refugee communities want a fair chance to thrive, but we cannot do so while we are subject to a dehumanizing, unjust immigration system.
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The New Way Forward’s Impact on Southeast Asian Americans
There are 15,000 Southeast Asian Americans with a final order of removal. About 80% of removable Southeast Asian Americans have a criminal conviction. Many of these individuals were refugees who have never lived in their countries of origin and no longer have any family ties to Cambodia, Laos, or Vietnam.
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“It felt like I was being double punished. A terrible crime that I committed when I was a youth would eventually lead to my deportation to a country that I had no ties to. I felt like I was unworthy, not valued, that all that I’d done to change my life, to build community while I was inside, doesn’t matter.”
featured in our anti-deportation PSAs
“If I can change back the hands of time, education and knowledge would be the best for any young person trying to figure themself out. Please be aware that I am still human even though I made a mistake in the past. I do have family that loves me, and I love them, too.
featured in our anti-deportation PSAs
“If we were deported, our family wouldn’t be as happy as they are now. We draw them together and the positive mindset we bring—that heals them and heals our community. I believe deportation is really double punishment for our family, for us, and for our community.”
featured together with impacted community member Tith Ton in our anti-deportation PSAs
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Latest related posts
For decades, Southeast Asian refugees have lived under the shadow of detention and deportation policies that punish our families long after we’ve rebuilt our lives. Now, two of our community members—one from Vietnam and one from Laos—have been secretly deported and imprisoned in Eswatini for more than six weeks. They remain locked away in Eswatini’s largest prison without charges, without legal counsel, and without access to their families. Their attorney, Tin Thanh Nguyen, has been repeatedly denied the ability to speak with them or confirm their safety. These deportations are cruel, unlawful, and dangerous. They are a direct attack on our Southeast Asian refugee communities. SEARAC stands in solidarity with the families, attorneys, and human rights defenders fighting for their freedom.
Read the full statement from Tin at the link in our bio!
Sep 2
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Aug 29
Instead of investing in healthcare, education, and basic needs, Congress chose to expand deportations and give the Trump Administration more power to target immigrants and refugees. SEARAC remains committed to mobilizing and defending our communities, including Southeast Asian families, against unjust detention and deportation.
Aug 28
This month, SEARAC proudly joined our California partners including @aypalpower, @cerieastbay, @firmunity, @hipcalifornia, and @varoundtable for the #PardonRefugees rally as a part of the Pardon Refugees Coalition, a collective effort to fight for pardons for Southeast Asian refugees and immigrants facing deportation. The day was a reminder of our collective strength and the urgent need to keep families and communities together.
Aug 27
On the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, Sarah Burtner reflects on her family’s journey—from her grandmother and five children finding refuge with the sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in 1975, to the enduring truth that women and refugees continue to build futures rooted in dignity, compassion, and courage against harmful ideologies.
Read Sarah and Kathy`s full #OurRootsOurPower blogpost at the link in our bio!
Aug 26
