SEAAs and other immigrant and refugee communities want a fair chance to thrive, but we cannot do so while we are subject to a dehumanizing, unjust immigration system.
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The New Way Forward’s Impact on Southeast Asian Americans
There are 15,000 Southeast Asian Americans with a final order of removal. About 80% of removable Southeast Asian Americans have a criminal conviction. Many of these individuals were refugees who have never lived in their countries of origin and no longer have any family ties to Cambodia, Laos, or Vietnam.
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“It felt like I was being double punished. A terrible crime that I committed when I was a youth would eventually lead to my deportation to a country that I had no ties to. I felt like I was unworthy, not valued, that all that I’d done to change my life, to build community while I was inside, doesn’t matter.”
featured in our anti-deportation PSAs
“If I can change back the hands of time, education and knowledge would be the best for any young person trying to figure themself out. Please be aware that I am still human even though I made a mistake in the past. I do have family that loves me, and I love them, too.
featured in our anti-deportation PSAs
“If we were deported, our family wouldn’t be as happy as they are now. We draw them together and the positive mindset we bring—that heals them and heals our community. I believe deportation is really double punishment for our family, for us, and for our community.”
featured together with impacted community member Tith Ton in our anti-deportation PSAs
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SEARAC`s team will be taking time off to rest and reset. Thank you for a powerful year of commemorating 50 years of Southeast Asian American power with us.
Dec 22
Congress has refused to extend the ACA’s enhanced premium tax credits and is abandoning its responsibility to the public it serves. Read SEARAC`s full response.
Dec 20
On Tuesday, SEARAC proudly commemorated a historic 50th year of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement during a virtual event that convened community leaders nationwide in celebration of the recently introduced Southeast Asian American 50th year anniversary resolution. Thank you to @pivotorg, @seafnofficial , @thecambodianfamily, @legaciesofwar for joining us!
The gathering marked both a celebration and a call to action
SEARAC extends gratitude to Rep. Tran and Sen. Hirono for championing this resolution and urges all members of Congress to stand with Southeast Asian American communities as we continue to advance equity, belonging, and opportunity for all.
You can support this historic moment by urging Congressional leadership to adopt this resolution at bit.ly/seaa50resolution
Dec 19
On Tuesday night, President Trump issued a new proclamation expanding the travel ban from 19 countries to 39 countries. Laos is now included in the fully banned country list and was previously listed as a partially banned country, preventing all immigration and select non-immigrant travel from Laos.
Quyên Đinh, Executive Director of SEARAC, responded: “This expanded travel ban continues this Administration’s racist and xenophobic policies and attacks on our communities. These policies do not make our country safer. They deepen trauma, fuel fear, and uphold this Administration’s clear racial and white nationalist ideologies. The expanded travel ban will be devastating for Hmong, Lao, Mien, and other communities from Laos, who have already endured decades of displacement, war, and separation. By shutting the door on family reunification, this Administration is tearing and keeping families apart and denying Southeast Asian Americans the basic dignity of safety, stability, and belonging.”
Get @reshare_app • @asianlawcaucus In December 2025, the Trump administration announced that it has placed a hold on all asylum applications filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and is pausing applications for permanent residence (green card) and other immigration applications filed by individuals from 19 ‘Travel Ban’ Get @reshare_app • @asianlawcaucus In December 2025, the Trump administration announced that it has placed a hold on all asylum applications filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and is pausing applications for permanent residence (green card) and other immigration applications filed by individuals from 19 ‘Travel Ban’ #civilrightscountries.
Our new resource page provides general information explaining the new USCIS policy.
UPDATE: on 12/16 the list of travel ban countries was expanded. Please continue to check our FAQ and resource page for updated guidance on policies regarding asylum application and benefit requests for immigrants from ‘Travel Ban’ countries.
Resource page: bit.ly/uscis-memo-faq
#TravelBan #EntryBan #ImmigrantRights #ImmigrationPolicy #CivilRights
Dec 18
Thank you to our community for joining the national virtual screening of @seaajourneys_doc and for celebrating with SEARAC and @caamedia. This coast-to-coast gathering was a powerful reminder that Southeast Asian American stories are seen, shared, and celebrated across the country. From cities to small towns, Southeast Asian American communities have planted deep roots and our stories, cultural traditions, and histories continue to strengthen our nation.
We are grateful to the heroes of the docuseries for their courage in sharing their voice with us: @montagnardao @seacvillage @seamarket_fdrpark @laos_inthehouse @cambodian.association @iumienoforegon @hafafarmers @uccoflongbeach @vietrainbowoc @qhmer_org
Dec 17
