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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Applications are OPEN! SEARAC’s 2026 Leadership and Advocacy Training (LAT) program is now accepting applications.
Join SEARAC and rising leaders from across the country to deepen your understanding of the issues impacting Southeast Asian American communities and build the advocacy skills needed to advance change at the federal level.
🗓 Apply by Feb. 8
🔗 bit.ly/LAT2026app or link in bio
Tag a future leader who should apply!
Jan 15
We’re grateful to the Seattle community for uplifting Southeast Asian American experiences through a screening of our docuseries, @seaajourneys_doc. This special event was made possible by @theatreoffjackson n and included a book sale featuring works by Southeast Asian authors from @mamsbookstore.
Moments like this inspire us to keep creating space for Southeast Asian American stories in 2026 and beyond.
📸 Photos courtesy of Bryna Antonia Cortes
Jan 13
We are holding Minnesota communities close after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in South Minneapolis. Her killing reflects the continued violence ICE carries out against immigrants and refugees.
Jan 8
"Healing requires both honoring the past and taking deliberate steps in the present. Many of us were taught, either directly or through unspoken messages that our emotional struggles and vulnerabilities should be hidden. Yet, healing requires us to honor how pain impacts both mind and body."
Read Tina`s full blog at the link in our bio.
Jan 6
"As I’ve learned more about the country of my ancestors, I’ve come to admire the centuries of resistance against foreign invaders to safeguard our heritage and identity."
Read Tyler`s full blogpost at the link in our bio.
Jan 5
