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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Fifty years ago, over a million Southeast Asian refugees from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam arrived to the United States to seek safety from war, genocide, and violence. This led to the largest resettlement of refugees in American history.
This year is the Southeast Asian American community’s power year, and we are celebrating the introduction of our national resolution recognizing 2025 as the 50th anniversary of the resettlement of Southeast Asian refugees. Join SEARAC and community partners for a community celebration on Dec. 16 from 1-2 pm ET/10-11 am PT and RSVP at bit.ly/seaa50celebration.
Take part in honoring the Southeast Asian American legacy of survival, strength, and courage.
Dec 16
The newly introduced resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement is a historic moment of recognition for Southeast Asian American communities. Reporting from @asamnews shares how this resolution celebrates the contributions made by Southeast Asian Americans, while also advocating for policies that will support refugee and immigrant communities.
Join SEARAC, community leaders, and champions of this resolution tomorrow, Dec. 16 for a community event celebrating this resolution! RSVP for the event at bit.ly/seaa50celebration or at the link in our bio.
Dec 15
TODAY IS THE DAY! Join SEARAC, CAAM, and community partners from across the country for our special virtual screening of our docuseries, Southeast Asian American Journeys. We will be sharing our five part docuseries, including our episode "Between Us" which follows LGBTQIA+ Khmer and Vietnamese cultural workers in southern California as they contemplate the in-betweenness of belonging, healing, and carving out spaces of their own.
How to attend the virtual screening:
Visit SEARAC`s Facebook or Youtube channels (@SEARAC) at 4 pm ET/1pm PT. The full five part docuseries will be livestreamed and includes a Q&A and panel discussion!
Dec 13
Our special virtual screening is 1 day away and we can`t wait to share our award-winning documentary series with you. Southeast Asian American Journeys shines a powerful light on Southeast Asian American stories that are too often ignored in mainstream media. We hope that you join us in celebrating the remarkable experiences of our communities across the country, such as Hmong refugee farmers transforming local foodways in a diversified Minnesota.
Join us tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 13 from 4-6 pm ET (1-3 pm PT) for this special event. RSVP at bit.ly/journeysrsvp and tune in live on Facebook and YouTube from anywhere in the country.
Dec 12
SEARAC celebrates the introduction of a House and Senate resolution recognizing 2025 as the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in the United States. From surviving war, genocide, and perilous journeys to reshaping the cultural and economic fabric of this country, SEAA communities have built legacies rooted in courage and possibility. We thank @repderektran and @maziehirono for their leadership in introducing this resolution. Read the full statement at the link in our bio.
As we mark 50 years, SEARAC calls on Congress to advance policies that ensure opportunity for all refugee and immigrant communities. Join us as we commemorate this milestone on Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 1–2pm ET / 10–11am PT. Register at bit.ly/seaa50celebration or at the link in our bio.
Dec 11
