The Hmong community is an integral part of the Southeast Asian American refugee legacy but has recently been misclassified as ‘East Asian’ rather than ‘Southeast Asian’ by the US Census Bureau. This mistake erases our Hmong community’s identity and conceals the inequities we experience as refugees from Southeast Asia. Hmong voices and stories matter and the US Census Bureau must honor the Hmong community’s self-identification as Southeast Asian Americans.
We’re mobilizing our communities to tell the US Census Bureau that it must correct its mistake.
Take Action
Demand Congress to Align with the Census Bureau’s Commitment to Inclusivity and Fairness
As we close out 2025, SEARAC expresses our deepest gratitude to our community for building power alongside us. Here is an end of year message from Quyên Đinh, SEARAC Executive Director:
"Our roots aren`t just history, they are our power: our power to protect our families; power to tell our own stories; power to imagine and build a future where our communities can truly thrive.
In this 50th anniversary, we`ve defended democracy — not just for this year, not just for Southeast Asian Americans, but for all Americans for the next 50 years.
I think often about what this year means for the generation that follows. Fifty years from now, my kids will be adults, older than I am today.
My hope is that they will know who they are and where they came from. That they`ll be equipped to navigate life`s deep sorrows and unfathomable joys.
That they`ll inherit an America, where Southeast Asian Americans and all communities are seen, heard, and valued. An America that exceeds even our boldest dreams.
An America we`re proud to call home for generations to come."
Dec 31
"In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the resettlement of Southeast Asian refugees, we continue to mourn the life that could have been if my mother’s family had stayed. Southeast Asian Americans, like Mae Tao, are resilient and inspirational in their ability to power forward despite being uprooted by war. We reminisce, we preserve our culture and traditions, and we pass the stories onto the next generation."
Read Caitlyn`s full reflection at the link in our bio.
Dec 30
If you haven’t yet made a year-end gift to SEARAC, now is the perfect time to invest in the next 50 years of the Southeast Asian American legacy.
Your support fuels our movement to build power with SEAAs and stand in solidarity alongside other immigrant and refugee communities. Give today at bit.ly/donatetosearac
Dec 30
"Being in community is important now more than ever. Community can look different for everyone and can be as small or as huge as you need it to be. For me, I have leaned on various communities within my circle to continue fighting the good fight for my values. "
Read the blog post from Vanessa Keodara at the link our bio.
Dec 29
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 26
“While the Census Bureau has made tremendous progress in making Southeast Asian refugee communities visible in the 2020 Census, misclassifying the Hmong community is a significant step back with major policy, identity, and cultural ramifications.”
SEARAC Executive Director
If she’s not napping, you can often find Phun at a cafe, on a trailhead, or at an airport gate.
Communications Associate
