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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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
