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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Latest related posts
SEARAC has just launched a new fundraising campaign on @wearechuffed, a crowdfunding platform for socially-conscious projects from around the world, to support our immigration policy advocacy and deportation defense work. We’re fighting back against ICE raids and kidnappings, speaking up against dehumanizing policies that terrorize our communities, and protecting Southeast Asian Americans’ right to family. Will you help us meet our goal of raising $100,000 to support this urgent work?
Donate at the link in our bio!
Oct 20
Posted @withregram • @migrantfreedom
The U.S. immigration enforcement system is deliberately confusing and hard to navigate, especially if you are under despair and stress. This toolkit contains a broad overview of where and when people go missing within the system and guidelines on how to locate them. This is a resource intended for advocates, friends and family members of people impacted by the U.S. immigration system and does not account for attorney privileges. Please be sure to consult with legal counsel if you’re able to.
Tap the link in our bio for the full toolkit.
Oct 16
This month`s screening of @seaajourneys_doc with our partners at @hipcalifornia and @iumiencommunity was a testament to the power of community and storytelling. As @hmongdailynews shared in their reporting, "For Sacramento`s Southeast Asian communities, the screening was as much a celebration as it was a remembrance—a reminder of how far they have come, and what they have brought with them." Read the full article at the link in our bio.
You can visit seaapower.com to find a screening near you.
Oct 15
A recent PBS NewsHour story sheds light on the devastating impact of the US deportation machine on Southeast Asian refugees, their families, and communities. Alan Phetsadakone has lived nearly his entire life in the United States, but now faces deportation over a decades-old mistake. Though he served his time and worked hard to rebuild his life, his future remains uncertain. Many Southeast Asians live in fear of detention and deportation every day.
We must continue to rise up and demand an immigration system rooted in humanity, justice, and dignity.
Alan shares, “What I need now is just the support and the fight to prevail from this — from this immigration madness.” Watch the full video here: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/laotian-refugee-living-in-u-s-since-childhood-faces-threat-of-deportation
Oct 10
Today is #DAFDay! If you have a Donor Advised Fund, it’s the perfect time to support causes you care about. Your generosity supports SEARAC`s work to fight against unjust detention and deportation, protect funding for education, and ensure health equity for all.
If you’re giving through a DAF, consider directing your gift to SEARAC today and visit our donation page at bit.ly/donatetosearac.
Oct 9
