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
Today marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Southeast Asian Americans are also commemorating over 50 years of refugee resettlement. That means Southeast Asian Americans have been part of this country’s past, present, and we will continue to shape this country. Southeast Asian Americans have been contributing, building, advocating, and shaping communities from coast to coast.
The story of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement is inseparable from the American story. It reflects this nation`s promise of refuge, opportunity, and inclusion.
Let`s make sure Congress recognizes all of who we are. Urge your rep to pass the Southeast Asian American 50th Anniversary Resolution. Join us: bit.ly/SEAA50to250
#SEAA50 #SEAAResolution
Jul 4
Repost from fightforourhealth 🌀 One year later. H.R. 1 — the so-called Big Beautiful Bill is making health care coverage less accessible for the workers, seniors, people with disabilities, and low income families who need it most.
This is just the beginning. The most restrictive provisions are yet to kick-in. #FightForOurHealth coalition is fighting to keep Californians healthy and covered.
Jul 4
SEARAC`s June 2026 newsletter is live! This month`s newsletter features a staff reflection on sabbatical, an overview of recent rulings from the Supreme Court, update on health care in CA, and more.
Read the newsletter at the link in our bio!
Jul 1
SEARAC applauds the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold birthright citizenship. It affirms the idea that every child born here is entitled to the same rights, dignity, and chance to thrive and rejects efforts to erode the constitutional protections guaranteed to everyone born in the United States.
Read SEARAC`s full response at the link in our bio.
Jun 30
This year, Vyvian from our partners at @vietrainbowoc shared a reflection that we want to leave you with as we close out June:
“One day, I hope that LGBTQIA+ Southeast Asian Americans, young and old alike, are able to fully express their identity as an homage to our rich histories of Queerness… I know there is endless potential in the Southeast Asian American community for love, action, and justice and my hope is that we come together to maximize it.”
Happy Pride Month 🌈 To our LGBTQIA+ Southeast Asian American community: your history is rich, your joy is resistance, and your community is bigger than you know.
Jun 29
