The census is the largest publicly available dataset with SEAA data. It directly influences political representation and funding for our communities.
Key resources:
Featured story
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.
Learn more
“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
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on the SEARAC community, and to learn more about how you can get involved.
Latest related posts
Quyên Đinh, SEARAC Executive Director, shared, "Today, President Biden commuted the sentences of roughly 1,500 individuals who had been released from prison and on home confinement, and pardoned 39 people. SEARAC celebrates this historic moment, the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history and a restoration of opportunity for these individuals. Many more are still waiting for their second chance, like the 15,000 Southeast Asian Americans with deportation orders eager for the day they can live without fear of being separated from their families and communities. We urge the President to use his executive power to restore opportunity for all who have been caught by this country`s broken immigration and criminal legal systems."
Dec 12
Quyên Đinh, SEARAC Executive Director, shared, "Today, President Biden commuted the sentences of roughly 1,500 individuals who had been released from prison and on home confinement, and pardoned 39 people. SEARAC celebrates this historic moment, the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history and a restoration of opportunity for these individuals. Many more are still waiting for their second chance, like the 15,000 Southeast Asian Americans with deportation orders eager for the day they can live without fear of being separated from their families and communities. We urge the President to use his executive power to restore opportunity for all who have been caught by this country`s broken immigration and criminal legal systems."
This month, SEARAC’s Senior California Program Manager, Thuy Do, joined partners, including @cerieastbay and @asianprisonersc, immigrant organizations, and community members at the People’s March & Rally in Sacramento to advocate for dignity and humanity in our immigration system. Together, we’re fighting to stop mass deportations and building a future where all Californians—regardless of immigration status—can thrive. 💪💙
Dec 11
This month, SEARAC’s Senior California Program Manager, Thuy Do, joined partners, including @cerieastbay and @asianprisonersc, immigrant organizations, and community members at the People’s March & Rally in Sacramento to advocate for dignity and humanity in our immigration system. Together, we’re fighting to stop mass deportations and building a future where all Californians—regardless of immigration status—can thrive. 💪💙
We congratulate Rep. Grace Meng on her election as incoming chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus for the 119th Congress. Under Rep. Judy Chu`s leadership these past 14 years, CAPAC has been an invaluable partner in supporting policies that strengthen our Southeast Asian American communities.
We look forward to working with the new CAPAC leadership team to continue building a more inclusive and representative democracy for all.
Dec 7
We congratulate Rep. Grace Meng on her election as incoming chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus for the 119th Congress. Under Rep. Judy Chu`s leadership these past 14 years, CAPAC has been an invaluable partner in supporting policies that strengthen our Southeast Asian American communities.
We look forward to working with the new CAPAC leadership team to continue building a more inclusive and representative democracy for all.
Today is the final day for SEARAC`s Week of Giving and we need your help to reach our goal of raising $20,000 in support of our vital research, training, advocacy, and community power. Your gift today ensures that SEAA voices, stories, and experiences are not only preserved but amplified to shape policies, fight injustice, and inspire future generations.
Elaine Sanchez Wilson, SEARAC Senior Director of Comms, shares, "SEARAC is doing vital work to build community power and uplift the Southeast Asian American narrative so that community stories, wisdom, history, and experiences are not lost to time. On today, the last day of SEARAC’s Week of Giving fundraiser, will you join me in making a gift to SEARAC to shape the story of the SEAA community’s next 50 years?"
Together, we can ensure that SEAA voices continue to be heard and celebrated for generations to come. Donate at the link in our bio!
Dec 6
Today is the final day for SEARAC`s Week of Giving and we need your help to reach our goal of raising $20,000 in support of our vital research, training, advocacy, and community power. Your gift today ensures that SEAA voices, stories, and experiences are not only preserved but amplified to shape policies, fight injustice, and inspire future generations.
Elaine Sanchez Wilson, SEARAC Senior Director of Comms, shares, "SEARAC is doing vital work to build community power and uplift the Southeast Asian American narrative so that community stories, wisdom, history, and experiences are not lost to time. On today, the last day of SEARAC’s Week of Giving fundraiser, will you join me in making a gift to SEARAC to shape the story of the SEAA community’s next 50 years?"
Together, we can ensure that SEAA voices continue to be heard and celebrated for generations to come. Donate at the link in our bio!
Your gift to SEARAC helps Southeast Asian American communities heal, grow, and thrive across generations. This year, our California team worked with partners to develop a groundbreaking K-12 curriculum centered on SEA experiences. Southeast Asian American students will see their history, identity, and resilience reflected in their classrooms.
Mandy Diêc, California Deputy Director, shares, "Intergenerational solutions – like the model curriculum we developed with support and feedback from SEAAs of all ages – make our communities stronger."
Join us in building a future where SEAA youth and families thrive. Give today at https://bit.ly/searac2024fundraiser
Dec 5
Your gift to SEARAC helps Southeast Asian American communities heal, grow, and thrive across generations. This year, our California team worked with partners to develop a groundbreaking K-12 curriculum centered on SEA experiences. Southeast Asian American students will see their history, identity, and resilience reflected in their classrooms.
Mandy Diêc, California Deputy Director, shares, "Intergenerational solutions – like the model curriculum we developed with support and feedback from SEAAs of all ages – make our communities stronger."
Join us in building a future where SEAA youth and families thrive. Give today at https://bit.ly/searac2024fundraiser