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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MARK YOUR CALENDARS! SEARAC is thrilled to announce that we are hosting a virtual screening of all five episodes from our Southeast Asian American Journeys documentary series, produced in partnership with the Center for Asian American Media. Come celebrate Southeast Asian American stories with us on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 4–6 pm ET (1–3 pm PT) as we wrap up this year’s 50th commemoration of Southeast Asian American refugee resettlement.
The event will include guest appearances from community members featured in the films and a Q&A with the executive producers, including director Quyên Nguyen-Le.
Learn more at seaapower.com/journeyslivestream and join us live on Facebook and YouTube from anywhere in the country. We hope to see you there for this special, one-time event.
Nov 26
SEARAC excited to welcome a new community of supporters who are ready to invest deeply in the future of Southeast Asian American communities. By joining SEARAC`s new Rooted in Giving Circle, you are helping to sustain SEARAC’s advocacy, leadership development, and community power-building for years to come.
This giving season, stand with us. Help ensure our communities continue to grow, heal, and lead with strength.
Learn more or join today: searac.org/donate-to-searac
Nov 25
Washington community, we’re thrilled to announce that @seaajourneys_doc will be shown on Dec. 10 in Seattle! The film screening will be hosted at @theatreoffjackson and will feature a Southeast Asian author book sale from @mamsbookstore.
Join this community celebration and buy tickets at seaa.click4tix.com
Nov 21
SEARAC continues to urge our elected officials to protect the Department of Education and preserve the many programs that Congress created to guarantee equal access to educational opportunities for every student.
Read our full statement at the link in our bio.
Nov 20
“For me, gold has come to symbolize memory: the resilience, stories, and traditions my mother’s generation carried across oceans.“
For the descendants of Southeast Asian refugees, this year’s 50th commemoration of our community’s story is a time for pause. For her recent blog post, Polly Woodbury, an LAT 2025 participant and the founder of jewelry brand Angkorian Collection, shares how the process of healing can take many forms. For Polly, it has been a combination of pursuing higher education to focus on Cambodian mental health, reconnecting to her Cambodian roots, and honoring the strength and artistry of her ancestors through jewelry. Polly reminds us that healing is a generational effort, with each new generation reclaiming what was lost and carrying forth the courage of their ancestors. Read Polly’s full blog here: https://shorturl.at/SMpcI
Nov 20
