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
In October, SEARAC and our friends at Hmong Innovating Politics and Iu Mien Community Services hosted a screening of Southeast Asian American Journeys. What’s special about this docuseries is that it was made by Southeast Asian Americans, about Southeast Asian Americans, and for Southeast Asian Americans. 2025 marks the 50th commemoration of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement to the United States and we are proud to uplift the beauty and strength of Southeast Asian American and American stories that are too often overlooked.
Oct 31
☎️We call on Congress and the White House to support a budget that reopens the government and protects healthcare so that our working class families can thrive.
Oct 30
SEARAC celebrates the passage of California SCR 96, which honors 50 years since Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in the United States. This resolution, introduced by state Sen. Dr. Aisha Wahab aishabbwahab, uplifts the resilience and leadership of Southeast Asian American communities and reaffirms the need for equity in data, language access, health, education, and healing.
We’re grateful to Sen. Wahab and our partners across California for advancing this historic recognition of our community’s strength, contributions, and vision for the future. Read the full press release at the link in our bio.
Oct 29
Join @searac, @firmunity, and @stonesoup.fresno for a screening of @seaajourneys_doc in Fresno, CA on Nov. 7. We are thrilled to share this evening of celebration and power with our community. RSVP through the QR code or at the link in our bio!
Oct 29
The US deportation machine continues to unjustly detain and deport communities across the country, including Southeast Asian communities. Our friends at @vietlead are helping to ensure community members living with final orders of removal and their loved ones are supported through their new resource which features emergency planning support, guides, and information for families to be as prepared as possible. SEARAC remains steadfast in our commitment to fighting for dignity and humanity in our immigration system. Check out the resource at vietlead.org/deportation. Get @reshare_app • @vietlead Our new Immigration Resources pages are now live on our website (in both English and tiếng Việt)! These are resources specific to Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Lao Philadelphians facing deportation due to criminal convictions, written by our team with years of experience working with our community members living with final orders of removal.
With ICE raids in full throttle in our community, we are receiving more outreaches to our small team during a period of organizational changes. However, we are committed to supporting you and your family as best we can with these resources and our new Community Defense office hours, where we can answer any questions you may have about these resources or the immigration landscape. Also keep an eye out for our videos going over the resource pages that we’ll release by the end of the month!
Swipe to also find our graphics in Vietnamese. Please share widely!
Resources in English: vietlead.org/deportation
Tài Nguyên bằng tiếng Việt: vietlead.org/deportation-viet
Links in our bio!
Oct 28
