By Kham S. Moua
When my family fled Laos, crossing the Mekong River in the dead of night, they did so with nothing but the hope of survival. The water was dark and uncertain, much like the future that awaited them. My family did not know how to swim, and the water raged in the darkness. But their options were to die or find a way to survive. They risked everything because they believed in the possibility of a better life, one free from persecution and violence. That same resilience carried them through refugee camps, resettlement, and the struggles of starting over in a country that was never built with people like us in mind. This year we will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement, and I see that same resilience in our people as we brave the onslaught of the Trump Administration’s opening hand.
From escalating deportations of Southeast Asian refugees, gutting of social programs that our families rely on, and ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across all sectors, this Administration has made it clear that we are not part of its vision for America. These policies do not just harm individuals — they tear families apart, destabilize communities, and push us further into the margins. Many of us came to this country as refugees, fleeing war and genocide, only to be met with systemic barriers at every turn. Now, we are being told once again that we do not belong.
In moments like these, unity is our greatest strength. We must organize, mobilize, and push back against policies designed to harm us. That means fighting for unified families, demanding better access to healthcare and economic opportunities, and holding every level of government accountable to our voices. We cannot afford to be passive observers — we must be active participants in shaping our future. Our history has shown us that when we come together and utilize our collective skill sets, we are powerful beyond reason. We have fought before, and we will fight again.
But resistance alone is not enough—we must also hold onto hope in even the most threatening conditions. Hope carried our families across rivers and oceans. It allowed them to rebuild their lives despite the impossibility of their situations. Hope is what fuels our fight for justice today. It is not naïve optimism; it is a radical act of defiance in the face of oppression. When we choose to believe in a better future, we create the possibility of making it real.
The 47th Administration may try to break us, but we are unbreakable. While America has weathered one Trump Administration before, Southeast Asians have been through worse — through war, genocide, and famine – we survived and thrived. This moment will not define us — our hope, our resistance, and our actions will. Our communities are here to stay, and together, we will keep fighting for a future where all of us can live with dignity, justice, and freedom.