Washington, DC – SEARAC celebrates the introduction of a House and Senate resolution recognizing 2025 as the 50th anniversary of the resettlement of Southeast Asian refugees. The resolution commemorates Southeast Asian Americans’ contributions to the United States and calls for the advancement of policies to provide Southeast Asian American communities and all immigrant and refugee communities with greater opportunities. US Rep. Derek Tran (D-CA45) is leading the resolution in the House and US Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) is leading the resolution in the Senate.
In the aftermath of the Vietnam War, Secret Wars in Laos, and the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia, over a million Southeast Asians fled their homes to escape war, genocide, ethnic and political persecution, and famine. They faced a multitude of obstacles on their journeys: from open seas and perilous land crossings, to prolonged stays in overcrowded refugee camps and underresourced neighborhoods in America that weren’t ready to receive them. Surviving these dire circumstances would build the resounding strength and vibrancy that is at the core of the Southeast Asian American refugee community today.
Now over 3 million people strong, the Southeast Asian American community has made significant contributions to every facet of American life. Southeast Asian Americans enrich the fabric of this nation through their resilience, hard work, and cultural richness—enhancing our communities, boosting our economy, and helping build a more vibrant and resilient country for all Americans.
“My parents fled persecution in communist Vietnam in search of freedom and democracy. This country gave them the chance to rebuild, and provided me with the foundation I needed to become the father, Veteran, small business owner, and Congressman I’m proud to be today. For generations, America has represented freedom, hope, and opportunity for so many Southeast Asian refugee and immigrant families like my own,” said Representative Tran. “We’ve turned that opportunity into innovation and progress that have put our whole nation ahead in just 50 short years. I’m honored to stand alongside Senator Hirono to honor the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian resettlement to the U.S. to formally recognize our communities’ legacy in this nation.”
“Since 1975, over one million Southeast Asian refugees have resettled in the U.S., and for 50 years now these communities have contributed greatly to our country’s economy, military, and culture,” said Senator Hirono. “From serving in our Armed Forces to enriching our economy, this resolution honors the sacrifices many of these refugees have made and reaffirms our commitment to ensuring these communities have access to education, health care, and other resources they need to thrive.”
“For 50 years, Southeast Asian Americans have contributed greatly to every aspect of our society. However, our communities still face significant health, economic, and educational barriers today, and the deportations of our community members continue to tear our families apart. We thank Rep. Tran and Sen. Hirono for introducing this important resolution recognizing our communities and calling for policies to advance continued economic and social opportunities for Southeast Asian American communities. SEARAC urges members of Congress to join them on this important resolution,” said Quyên Đinh, Executive Director of SEARAC.
Organizations across the country have joined SEARAC in endorsing this resolution. Click here to view endorsing organizations.
SEARAC will be commemorating the introduction of the resolution and reflecting on the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian American refugee resettlement with our partners on Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 1 – 2 pm ET/10 – 11 am PT. Register for this community event here.