The census is the largest publicly available dataset with SEAA data. It directly influences political representation and funding for our communities.
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Hmong Leaders Meet with Census Director on Hmong Misclassification
On Thursday, May 23, 16 Hmong and Asian American advocates met with Director Robert L. Santos of the US Census Bureau to discuss the need to reclassify the Hmong as Southeast Asian. The meeting comes as a result of a letter and petition with over 1,700 signatures to Director Santos asking the Bureau to address the issue and meet with community leaders.
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“We talk about how it is so important for us as a group of people to participate in the census, so we show up in the data. Once that data comes out, we will have information about ourselves. Right now, we don’t know how many of us live in the Bay Area, or even the city of Richmond.”
Director, Asian Senior/Adult Daycare Center
“I want to help Cambodians and other minorities be counted in the 2020 Census. We are a minority of a minority group. We are Asians, but we’re also Cambodians. There are only 260,000 of us in the United States according to the 2010 Census, so having everyone counted is important.”
Technical engineer
“It’s vital for us to know each other as a community, locally and nationally. Where are we, how many of us are there, and how can we use our collective numbers to be changemakers? These are questions I find myself asking when I’m planning my dance classes or looking out to a crowd during a performance.”
Director, Cambodian American Girls Empowering
“I’m the son, nephew, and grandson of Vietnamese refugees who benefited from ESL education and other social programs, and I feel like we’ve come full circle now that I’m a first-generation college graduate and ESL teacher. I know that the type of services my school district and I are able to provide relies on data from the Census, so it is so important that educators encourage their community members to complete it.”
ESL Teacher
“When individuals are invisible in data, they remain invisible in policy conversations. To understand how groups within the AAPI community fare in higher education and the specific challenges each face, we must disaggregate data along racial and ethnic lines. Doing so will reveal where inequities exist and, in turn, unlock the full power of postsecondary education to spur social mobility, economic health, and a stronger society.”
Institute for Higher Education Policy
“Without data disaggregation, this system makes students like me invisible, our needs are downplayed, and resources aren’t offered. Data disaggregation allows for students like me to be seen, to get the resources we need, and to reach our fullest potential.”
Minnesota student
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Friday 8/28 at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday 8/29 at 8:30 p.m.
Location: Pet Pavillion, located at the corner of Murphy Ave & Underwood
Free with fair admission, limited seating begins at 8 p.m., and audiences can vote for their favorite film
curated by @squarelakefestival
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Our immigration system must be rooted in dignity, respect for human life, and the opportunity for transformation. Recent coverage from @nytimes highlights the continued targeting of Southeast Asian Americans for detention and deportation, creating a "double punishment" for people who have already served their time, like Mong Tran.
Like many SEAA refugees, Mong`s family fled violence in their homeland, and she arrived in the United States as a child. She made a mistake in her youth and served her sentence. Afterward, she rebuilt her life—raising children and opening her own business. Despite this, she was deported to Vietnam, a country she barely knows. This "double punishment" re-traumatizes immigrant and refugee communities who are simply trying to heal and live safely with their families.
We need policy solutions like the Southeast Asian Deportation Relief Act #SEADRA, which would protect Southeast Asian refugees and immigrants, keep families together, and restore due process.
Learn more about SEADRA at the link in our bio!
Aug 19
When Southeast Asian American communities are invested into, we can build leaders who will advocate for policies rooted in equity, justice, and healing. SEARAC is deeply grateful to our LAT 2026 sponsors who were able to make LAT possible. Thank you to our lead funder, @statefarm, whose generosity has made LAT possible for more than two decades. We also want to thank our additional sponsors for investing in Southeast Asian American leaders: @aarp, @blueshieldcafoundation, District Capital Management, @ocanational, and @thekresgefoundation .
LAT is made possible through support from our funders and donors! Join our movement to build a pipeline of leaders. Learn more at the link in our bio or visit bit.ly/givetosearac
Aug 12
Last month, SEARAC held our 27th annual Leadership & Advocacy Training program and 23 leaders from across the country are continuing the legacy of Southeast Asian American advocacy power on Capitol Hill. Guided by our wonderful facilitators, including our friends at @nationalcapacd, Diverse Elders Coalition, and @advancingjustice_aajc, our participants gained tools to successfully lead meetings with their elected officials and uplift the experiences of their communities. They elevated key issues like data disaggregation in education, access to quality healthcare, and the protection of family immigration.
We are so proud of our #LAT2026 cohort we are inspired by the bravery, resilience, and joy you shared with us. SEARAC is deeply grateful to our partners, sponsors, and the congressional offices who welcomed our participants.
✨ Read our highlights at the link in bio.
Aug 11
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📅 August 7 @ 6:00 PM
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🎟️ Get your passes and tickets today — link in bio!
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