In the aftermath of war and genocide in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, many SEAAs were separated in their escape to safety. Our immigration system must ensure the timely and humane reunification of families.
Key resource:
How family-based immigration benefits Southeast Asian Americans: Standing up for our families and our rights — A memo that discusses the current backlog for immigration visas and the ramifications of ending family-based sponsorship.
Featured story
Keep Our Families Whole – SEARAC Applauds Reintroduction of the Reuniting Families Act
The RFA would streamline the United States’ family immigration system – which has not been updated in over 20 years – to ensure the timely and humane reunification of immigrant and refugee families. The bill would eliminate bureaucratic red tape: clearing visa backlogs in the family and employment immigration systems, as well as providing an opportunity for relief for immigrants in deportation proceedings to remain with their families.
Learn more
“She’s all I think about. I just want my companion to be with me here, not just to help as a caregiver to my elderly father, but so we can also finally save some money and start a family, which is all I ever wanted. The emotional stress, the financial hardship, the physical toll it’s taken on both of us — it’s all really hard to manage.”
Solar installer, Minnesota
“The Reuniting Families Act would make our family reunification system more humane by ensuring that our families do not have to wait decades to be together and by providing greater opportunities for relief for those currently in deportation proceedings.”
Executive Director, SEARAC
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Latest related posts
SEARAC`s May newsletter is now live. Check out the most recent updates from our national and California policy teams and enjoy a recap of how our team celebrated AANHPI Heritage Month!
Check it out at the link in our bio!
Jun 8
In our latest blog, SEARAC LAT alum Allie Soisouvanh Price reflects on what Lao New Year means to her as a proud daughter of Lao refugees and why celebration itself is a form of advocacy. Shaped by the impact of the Secret War, Allie’s family found healing through community, culture, and joy. Allie writes,“Lao New Year is our way of reclaiming ourselves, reclaiming our identities, and reclaiming the joy that was taken from us because of the war.”
Read Allie`s full blog at the link in our bio!
Jun 4
In April 1975, Saigon fell and the Khmer Rouge seized power, unleashing a brutal reign of terror. In the years that followed, Cambodian, Hmong, Iu Mien, Lao, Vietnamese, and other Southeast Asian communities resettled across the United States. They survived unimaginable loss. And they have spent over 50 years making this country richer—culturally, economically, and civically.
This anniversary deserves national recognition. Urge your Member of Congress to cosponsor the Southeast Asian American 50th Anniversary Resolution.
Take action: bit.ly/SEAA50to250
#SEAA50 #SEAAResolution
Jun 3
SEARAC is excited to announce that Between Us, an episode from the Southeast Asian American Journeys docuseries produced by Quyên Nguyen-Le in association with SEARAC and the CAAMFest, will be screened at the 22nd International Queer Women of Color Film Festival on June 14. Between Us follows the multilayered stories of queer Khmer and Vietnamese cultural workers in southern California as they contemplate the in-betweenness of belonging, healing, and carving out spaces of their own.
Learn more and RSVP here: https://qwocmap.org/films/festival/between-us/ or at the link in our bio!
Jun 2
Join us tomorrow for SEARAC`s final installment of our “Rising Up” webinar series at 2:30 pm – 3 pm ET, when we will discuss findings and recommendations for improving SEAAs` participation in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
CTE programs can offer a low-cost pathway toward high-demand careers by combining classroom education with hands-on training toward an industry credential.
We`ll also welcome research consultant Theresa Chen and Natalie Truong of @advancingjustice_aajc Link to sign up in bio.
Jun 1
