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.
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“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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AANAPISIs and MSIs have helped millions of students of color, including Southeast Asian Americans, access higher education. These programs have been essential for low-income and first-generation college students, and they have improved how colleges and universities educate students of color. We condemn the Trump Administration`s continuation of its attacks on higher education and on non-straight and non-white communities.
Read our full statement at the link in our bio.
Sep 11
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!
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DYK: Adults 50+ are at increased risk from COVID-19? Don’t let COVID spoil your summer. It’s not too late — getting the vaccine now can help protect you from severe illness. Discover more with @cveepsocial at cveep.org/stayupdated
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
