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
រីករាយឆ្នាំថ្មី🌸 ສະບາຍດີປີໃຫມ່ 🌸 Happy Lao and Khmer New Year from SEARAC🌸
Our offices are closed today in observance of Lao and Khmer New Year. To our communities celebrating — we are sending you wishes for a peaceful, happy, and abundant year ahead.
(Photos courtesy of SEARAC from a 2015 Cambodian New Year celebration in Silver Spring, MD)
Apr 14

រីករាយឆ្នាំថ្មី🌸 ສະບາຍດີປີໃຫມ່ 🌸 Happy Lao and Khmer New Year from SEARAC🌸
Our offices are closed today in observance of Lao and Khmer New Year. To our communities celebrating — we are sending you wishes for a peaceful, happy, and abundant year ahead.
(Photos courtesy of SEARAC from a 2015 Cambodian New Year celebration in Silver Spring, MD)
For the third edition of SEARAC`s First 100 Days newsletter, we are breaking down recent EOs that deny immigrants and refugees access to public services. These EOs also attack Americans who are immigrants and refugees. We also included analyses of these policies` impacts to California, where SEARAC has an office that leads state-level policy advocacy and coalition building. Read the full newsletter at the link in our bio.
Stay tuned for the next edition by signing up for our newsletter at bit.ly/SEARACnews.
Apr 10

For the third edition of SEARAC`s First 100 Days newsletter, we are breaking down recent EOs that deny immigrants and refugees access to public services. These EOs also attack Americans who are immigrants and refugees. We also included analyses of these policies` impacts to California, where SEARAC has an office that leads state-level policy advocacy and coalition building. Read the full newsletter at the link in our bio.
Stay tuned for the next edition by signing up for our newsletter at bit.ly/SEARACnews.
SEARAC`s March newsletter is live. This month`s edition includes of policy updates on immigration and data equity as well as updates from our California team. Read the newsletter at the link in our bio!
Apr 8

SEARAC`s March newsletter is live. This month`s edition includes of policy updates on immigration and data equity as well as updates from our California team. Read the newsletter at the link in our bio!
SEARAC condemns the recent escalation of attacks on immigrant communities and the alarming rise in disappearances carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It echoes the trauma of authoritarian regimes in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, where thousands had been silenced, disappeared, or displaced. Read our full statement and a list of community resources at the link in our bio.
Apr 3

SEARAC condemns the recent escalation of attacks on immigrant communities and the alarming rise in disappearances carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It echoes the trauma of authoritarian regimes in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, where thousands had been silenced, disappeared, or displaced. Read our full statement and a list of community resources at the link in our bio.
50 years ago, Southeast Asian refugees came to the United States to seek refuge and safety after experiencing the pain of displacement and separation. Now, detention and deportation are re-traumatizing our communities and tearing families apart. Southeast Asian Americans need relief from the daily fear of deportation and a pathway towards healing.
Posted @withregram • @sahanjournal A Wisconsin Hmong woman’s recent deportation to Laos is rippling through Southeast Asian communities as the president ramps up arrests and pressures other countries to accept deportees.
Written by Katelyn Vue.
Photos by @aaronnesheim
Use the link in our bio to read more.
Apr 1

50 years ago, Southeast Asian refugees came to the United States to seek refuge and safety after experiencing the pain of displacement and separation. Now, detention and deportation are re-traumatizing our communities and tearing families apart. Southeast Asian Americans need relief from the daily fear of deportation and a pathway towards healing.
Posted @withregram • @sahanjournal A Wisconsin Hmong woman’s recent deportation to Laos is rippling through Southeast Asian communities as the president ramps up arrests and pressures other countries to accept deportees.
Written by Katelyn Vue.
Photos by @aaronnesheim
Use the link in our bio to read more.
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“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
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If she’s not napping, you can often find Phun at a cafe, on a trailhead, or at an airport gate.
Communications Associate