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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Earlier this month, the SEARAC team joined our friends at @caamedia for the premiere of our docuseries, Southeast Asian American Journeys. This landmark series, part of the Our Roots, Our Power campaign, commemorates the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian American (SEAA) refugee resettlement and uplifts unique stories of community strength, survival, and self-determination.
We are grateful to our partners, storytellers, producers, filmmakers @smellydurianface @joualeelens @oanhnhi.nguyen, and — most of all — the heroes of these episodes for this opportunity.
May 29
Earlier this month, the SEARAC team joined our friends at @caamedia for the premiere of our docuseries, Southeast Asian American Journeys. This landmark series, part of the Our Roots, Our Power campaign, commemorates the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian American (SEAA) refugee resettlement and uplifts unique stories of community strength, survival, and self-determination.
We are grateful to our partners, storytellers, producers, filmmakers @smellydurianface @joualeelens @oanhnhi.nguyen, and — most of all — the heroes of these episodes for this opportunity.
“Our history deserves recognition, and our communities deserve repair. Fifty years after SEAAs arrived on American shores, we are still asking for the same things: safety, dignity, and belonging.”
SEARAC recently co-authored an op-ed with @legaciesofwar for @asamnews urging our allies to not just uplift Southeast Asian American voices and experiences this AANHPI Heritage Month, but to also take action to defend and protect our communities. 2025 marks the 50th commemoration of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement and this moment compels us to remember the violent histories that forced Southeast Asians to flee their homelands and to fight for the justice our communities deserve.
Read the full article at the link in our bio.
This month is Give in May and you can support SEARAC and Southeast Asian American community power at bit.ly/donatetosearac
Posted @withregram • @legaciesofwar Imagine being a refugee forced to flee your homeland, only to find that the fight for survival continues–and is perpetuated by–your new home. Seeking refuge from genocide, war, and political persecution, Southeast Asian Americans (SEAAs) migrated in droves to the United States and today comprise a powerful community of over 3 million residents. Their continued struggle against systemic exclusion, displacement, and long-lasting impacts of American foreign policy, however, is rendered invisible by the uniformly “thriving” Asian American model minority myth.
Millions of unexploded ordnance, the dangerous remnants of the United States’ Secret Wars, still remain buried beneath the soil of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It is imperative that the U.S confront its legacy in Southeast Asia, both through continued funding for bomb clearance and ending the deportation of SEAAs, many of whom were brought here as children and now face the prospect of being torn from their families. American war actions have forced the violent displacement of SEAA’s–and its foreign policy continues to do so in the present.
May 28
“Our history deserves recognition, and our communities deserve repair. Fifty years after SEAAs arrived on American shores, we are still asking for the same things: safety, dignity, and belonging.”
SEARAC recently co-authored an op-ed with @legaciesofwar for @asamnews urging our allies to not just uplift Southeast Asian American voices and experiences this AANHPI Heritage Month, but to also take action to defend and protect our communities. 2025 marks the 50th commemoration of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement and this moment compels us to remember the violent histories that forced Southeast Asians to flee their homelands and to fight for the justice our communities deserve.
Read the full article at the link in our bio.
This month is Give in May and you can support SEARAC and Southeast Asian American community power at bit.ly/donatetosearac
Posted @withregram • @legaciesofwar Imagine being a refugee forced to flee your homeland, only to find that the fight for survival continues–and is perpetuated by–your new home. Seeking refuge from genocide, war, and political persecution, Southeast Asian Americans (SEAAs) migrated in droves to the United States and today comprise a powerful community of over 3 million residents. Their continued struggle against systemic exclusion, displacement, and long-lasting impacts of American foreign policy, however, is rendered invisible by the uniformly “thriving” Asian American model minority myth.
Millions of unexploded ordnance, the dangerous remnants of the United States’ Secret Wars, still remain buried beneath the soil of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It is imperative that the U.S confront its legacy in Southeast Asia, both through continued funding for bomb clearance and ending the deportation of SEAAs, many of whom were brought here as children and now face the prospect of being torn from their families. American war actions have forced the violent displacement of SEAA’s–and its foreign policy continues to do so in the present.
“Despite creeping despair, however, I know I am forever empowered by those who came before me: My parents have always been fighters, as have all of us Southeast Asian Americans. We will continue to fight these injustices, to rest to heal ourselves and our communities, and to share joys that cannot be taken from us.”
This #AANHPIHeritageMonth, we are highlighting C To’s recent blog on for the 50th commemoration of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement. C To’s blog reminds us that the Southeast Asian American diaspora carry forth the vision of our parents, elders, and ancestors before us. We carry on their legacy by fighting for justice and equity for all and remembering joy. Read the full post at the link in our bio!
Read more:
#HealthEquity #SEAAVoices #SocialJustice #AANHPI
May 26
“Despite creeping despair, however, I know I am forever empowered by those who came before me: My parents have always been fighters, as have all of us Southeast Asian Americans. We will continue to fight these injustices, to rest to heal ourselves and our communities, and to share joys that cannot be taken from us.”
This #AANHPIHeritageMonth, we are highlighting C To’s recent blog on for the 50th commemoration of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement. C To’s blog reminds us that the Southeast Asian American diaspora carry forth the vision of our parents, elders, and ancestors before us. We carry on their legacy by fighting for justice and equity for all and remembering joy. Read the full post at the link in our bio!
Read more:
#HealthEquity #SEAAVoices #SocialJustice #AANHPI
California’s health care delivery system is stronger and more stable when everyone is covered and healthy – regardless of their immigration status. Without access to preventative care, already overburdened emergency rooms get busier with cases that could have been treated in a doctor’s office.
May 25
California’s health care delivery system is stronger and more stable when everyone is covered and healthy – regardless of their immigration status. Without access to preventative care, already overburdened emergency rooms get busier with cases that could have been treated in a doctor’s office.
May is #AANHPIHeritageMonth and this year also marks the 50th commemoration of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement. SEARAC is proud to uplift Southeast Asian American community, culture, and heritage in celebration of our refugee legacy.
Today, we`re sharing content from @chamrefugeescommunity in Seattle and Lacey, WA. Learn about the Cham who call Washington State home, and discover a recipe for ai pai pageng in the images here 😋
For SEARAC, the term "Southeast Asian American" is a political identity encompassing the unique and diverse ethnicities and cultures from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam — all of whom were impacted by war and genocide in those countries in the 1970s. We look forward to sharing more from our communities throughout May.
Thank you to Kylie, SEARAC`s previous communications intern, for building this series for APAHM.
May 23
May is #AANHPIHeritageMonth and this year also marks the 50th commemoration of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement. SEARAC is proud to uplift Southeast Asian American community, culture, and heritage in celebration of our refugee legacy.
Today, we`re sharing content from @chamrefugeescommunity in Seattle and Lacey, WA. Learn about the Cham who call Washington State home, and discover a recipe for ai pai pageng in the images here 😋
For SEARAC, the term "Southeast Asian American" is a political identity encompassing the unique and diverse ethnicities and cultures from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam — all of whom were impacted by war and genocide in those countries in the 1970s. We look forward to sharing more from our communities throughout May.
Thank you to Kylie, SEARAC`s previous communications intern, for building this series for APAHM.