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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Latest related posts
Our special virtual screening is 1 day away and we can`t wait to share our award-winning documentary series with you. Southeast Asian American Journeys shines a powerful light on Southeast Asian American stories that are too often ignored in mainstream media. We hope that you join us in celebrating the remarkable experiences of our communities across the country, such as Hmong refugee farmers transforming local foodways in a diversified Minnesota.
Join us tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 13 from 4-6 pm ET (1-3 pm PT) for this special event. RSVP at bit.ly/journeysrsvp and tune in live on Facebook and YouTube from anywhere in the country.
Dec 12
SEARAC celebrates the introduction of a House and Senate resolution recognizing 2025 as the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in the United States. From surviving war, genocide, and perilous journeys to reshaping the cultural and economic fabric of this country, SEAA communities have built legacies rooted in courage and possibility. We thank @repderektran and @maziehirono for their leadership in introducing this resolution. Read the full statement at the link in our bio.
As we mark 50 years, SEARAC calls on Congress to advance policies that ensure opportunity for all refugee and immigrant communities. Join us as we commemorate this milestone on Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 1–2pm ET / 10–11am PT. Register at bit.ly/seaa50celebration or at the link in our bio.
Dec 11
Get these SEARAC gifts before they’re gone!
This is your last chance to get beautiful commemorative merchandise for the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in the United States. These designs will be leaving the SEARAC store at the end of this year. Order now to receive your shipment by December 25th!
Browse the SEARAC store at searac.org/shop-searac-merch/
Dec 11
We are just 4 DAYS AWAY from the national screening of our award-winning documentary series, @seaajourneys_doc. The docuseries bridges coasts and communities with the power of storytelling. With 2025 marking the 50th year of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in the United States, SEARAC is proud to share these intergenerational stories, including the Montagnard community in North Carolina.
This series was produced alongside award-winning filmmaker Quyên Nguyen-Le, and @caamedia. Register for the event here: seaapower.com/journeyslivestream
Dec 9
Today is the final day of SEARAC’s Week of Giving and we’re asking our community to consider making a gift to fuel our movement. This year, SEARAC defended Southeast Asian Americans’ right to be seen through our groundbreaking new documentary series, Southeast Asian American Journeys. In partnership with the Center for Asian American Media and acclaimed filmmaker Quyên Nguyen-Le, we brought to life the diverse stories of our communities across the country and honored stories that too often go unheard.
And we’re just getting started! Help us uplift the next generation of Southeast Asian American storytellers and advocates and donate today.
Donate today: bit.ly/searac2025fundraiser
Learn more about SEARAC’s Week of Giving: bit.ly/searacweekofgiving2025
Dec 5
