In the aftermath of war and genocide in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, many SEAAs were separated in their escape to safety. Our immigration system must ensure the timely and humane reunification of families.
Key resource:
How family-based immigration benefits Southeast Asian Americans: Standing up for our families and our rights — A memo that discusses the current backlog for immigration visas and the ramifications of ending family-based sponsorship.
Featured story
Keep Our Families Whole – SEARAC Applauds Reintroduction of the Reuniting Families Act
The RFA would streamline the United States’ family immigration system – which has not been updated in over 20 years – to ensure the timely and humane reunification of immigrant and refugee families. The bill would eliminate bureaucratic red tape: clearing visa backlogs in the family and employment immigration systems, as well as providing an opportunity for relief for immigrants in deportation proceedings to remain with their families.
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“She’s all I think about. I just want my companion to be with me here, not just to help as a caregiver to my elderly father, but so we can also finally save some money and start a family, which is all I ever wanted. The emotional stress, the financial hardship, the physical toll it’s taken on both of us — it’s all really hard to manage.”
Solar installer, Minnesota
“The Reuniting Families Act would make our family reunification system more humane by ensuring that our families do not have to wait decades to be together and by providing greater opportunities for relief for those currently in deportation proceedings.”
Executive Director, SEARAC
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Latest related posts
As the government shutdown continues, millions of Americans are left in uncertainty. 4.5 million #AAPIs already stand to lose Medicaid, and many more are afraid they can’t pay for healthcare. With time running out, our voices matter more than ever.
SEARAC wants to know how this shutdown is impacting you, your families, and your community. Tell us at bit.ly/SEARACShutdownSurvey or at the link in our bio.
Oct 6
Last month, SEARAC launched Resources for Southeast Asian Refugees Facing Deportation, a webpage providing resources and answers to frequently asked questions for people facing deportation to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Share with your networks: bit.ly/SEAAdeportationresources.
Please note that it does not provide legal advice.
Oct 4
Last month, SEARAC and our friends at @uccoflongbeach and Families in Good Health hosted the West Coast premiere of Southeast Asian American Journeys, the groundbreaking documentary series now available in its entirety with all five episodes. Thank you to our partners and community for being part of this amazing milestone. We are honored to celebrate Southeast Asian American voices alongside you!
Thuy Do, SEARAC Senior California Program Manager, shared, "Experiencing the screening with long-time community partners and leaders in Long Beach was touching, as we reminisced on our shared histories of resettlement. Witnessing and sharing the emotions with the audience members captured how far we have come as a Southeast Asian American community and how much farther we will go together, even through trying times." Photos courtesy of @mrheng562
Oct 3
At midnight on Sept. 30, 2025, the health, safety, and wellbeing of communities across America were put at risk as Congress and the White House failed to meet their responsibility to keep the federal government running. When our elected leaders choose political gridlock, it is the people who carry the burden.
As we call on Congress to protect the best interests of the people they serve, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. Share how the government shutdown is impacting you, your families, and your communities with SEARAC at bit.ly/SEARACShutdownSurvey or at the link in our bio.
Oct 2
Recent reporting from @guardian shines light the devastating human impact of ICE’s deportations targeting Southeast Asian communities — often families who fled war and built lives here. These policies don’t just strip away legal status, they rip apart families, erode trust, and retraumatize generations. Quyen Dinh, SEARAC Executive Director, shared, "We see these deportations as a betrayal of US duty to refugees. When you accept a refugee, you don’t accept them for just three to five years, you accept them for their entire lifetime.”
Read the full article at the link in our bio.
Oct 1
