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
We are just 4 DAYS AWAY from the national screening of our award-winning documentary series, @seaajourneys_doc. The docuseries bridges coasts and communities with the power of storytelling. With 2025 marking the 50th year of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in the United States, SEARAC is proud to share these intergenerational stories, including the Montagnard community in North Carolina.
This series was produced alongside award-winning filmmaker Quyên Nguyen-Le, and @caamedia. Register for the event here: seaapower.com/journeyslivestream
Dec 9
Today is the final day of SEARAC’s Week of Giving and we’re asking our community to consider making a gift to fuel our movement. This year, SEARAC defended Southeast Asian Americans’ right to be seen through our groundbreaking new documentary series, Southeast Asian American Journeys. In partnership with the Center for Asian American Media and acclaimed filmmaker Quyên Nguyen-Le, we brought to life the diverse stories of our communities across the country and honored stories that too often go unheard.
And we’re just getting started! Help us uplift the next generation of Southeast Asian American storytellers and advocates and donate today.
Donate today: bit.ly/searac2025fundraiser
Learn more about SEARAC’s Week of Giving: bit.ly/searacweekofgiving2025
Dec 5
Your gift to SEARAC fuels our work to build power with Southeast Asian Americans and other refugee and immigrant communities across the country. This year, alongside our partners, we introduced a California state resolution commemorating 50 years of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in the United States. This was a powerful reminder that Southeast Asian Americans belong in the halls of power, from Sacramento to Washington, DC.
As we honor the past 50 years of the Southeast Asian American legacy, we’re also fighting to secure the next 50 years. Join our movement today and help us reach our $50,000 goal by the end of 2025.
Donate today: bit.ly/searac2025fundraiser
Learn more about SEARAC’s Week of Giving: bit.ly/searacweekofgiving2025
Dec 4
We’re halfway through our Week of Giving, and we’re calling on our community and supporters to help us reach our $50,000 goal in honor of the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian American refugee resettlement.
For decades, our communities have fought for our stories to be seen through disaggregated data, ethnic studies, language access, and more. SEARAC continues to push for accurate representation in education data and the US Census so our communities are no longer erased, overlooked, or undercounted. This is how we secure the future our community deserves.
Your support powers SEARAC’s fight to ensure Southeast Asian American students have equal access to high-quality education and the opportunities to thrive.
Donate today: bit.ly/searac2025fundraiser
Learn more about SEARAC’s Week of Giving: bit.ly/searacweekofgiving2025
Dec 3
We are 11 days away from the virtual screening of Southeast Asian American Journeys (@seaajourneys_doc), a docuseries produced by Quyen Nguyen-Le, in association with SEARAC and the Center for Asian American Media (@caamedia).
Join us on Dec. 13 from 4-6 pm ET (1-3 pm PT) for this special event. Learn more at seaapower.com/journeyslivestream to RSVP and tune in live on Facebook and YouTube from anywhere in the country.
Dec 2
