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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Read Tina`s full blog at the link in our bio.
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SEARAC community: let`s start 2026 by showing Congress our collective power!
Take a few minutes to sign our open letter at the link in our bio.
Reshare the form with your networks, add this post to your stories, and/or tag your friends in the comments below.
Jan 2
As we close out 2025, SEARAC expresses our deepest gratitude to our community for building power alongside us. Here is an end of year message from Quyên Đinh, SEARAC Executive Director:
"Our roots aren`t just history, they are our power: our power to protect our families; power to tell our own stories; power to imagine and build a future where our communities can truly thrive.
In this 50th anniversary, we`ve defended democracy — not just for this year, not just for Southeast Asian Americans, but for all Americans for the next 50 years.
I think often about what this year means for the generation that follows. Fifty years from now, my kids will be adults, older than I am today.
My hope is that they will know who they are and where they came from. That they`ll be equipped to navigate life`s deep sorrows and unfathomable joys.
That they`ll inherit an America, where Southeast Asian Americans and all communities are seen, heard, and valued. An America that exceeds even our boldest dreams.
An America we`re proud to call home for generations to come."
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"In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the resettlement of Southeast Asian refugees, we continue to mourn the life that could have been if my mother’s family had stayed. Southeast Asian Americans, like Mae Tao, are resilient and inspirational in their ability to power forward despite being uprooted by war. We reminisce, we preserve our culture and traditions, and we pass the stories onto the next generation."
Read Caitlyn`s full reflection at the link in our bio.
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