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.
Key resources:
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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`s May newsletter is now live. Check out the most recent updates from our national and California policy teams and enjoy a recap of how our team celebrated AANHPI Heritage Month!
Check it out at the link in our bio!
Jun 8
In our latest blog, SEARAC LAT alum Allie Soisouvanh Price reflects on what Lao New Year means to her as a proud daughter of Lao refugees and why celebration itself is a form of advocacy. Shaped by the impact of the Secret War, Allie’s family found healing through community, culture, and joy. Allie writes,“Lao New Year is our way of reclaiming ourselves, reclaiming our identities, and reclaiming the joy that was taken from us because of the war.”
Read Allie`s full blog at the link in our bio!
Jun 4
In April 1975, Saigon fell and the Khmer Rouge seized power, unleashing a brutal reign of terror. In the years that followed, Cambodian, Hmong, Iu Mien, Lao, Vietnamese, and other Southeast Asian communities resettled across the United States. They survived unimaginable loss. And they have spent over 50 years making this country richer—culturally, economically, and civically.
This anniversary deserves national recognition. Urge your Member of Congress to cosponsor the Southeast Asian American 50th Anniversary Resolution.
Take action: bit.ly/SEAA50to250
#SEAA50 #SEAAResolution
Jun 3
SEARAC is excited to announce that Between Us, an episode from the Southeast Asian American Journeys docuseries produced by Quyên Nguyen-Le in association with SEARAC and the CAAMFest, will be screened at the 22nd International Queer Women of Color Film Festival on June 14. Between Us follows the multilayered stories of queer Khmer and Vietnamese cultural workers in southern California as they contemplate the in-betweenness of belonging, healing, and carving out spaces of their own.
Learn more and RSVP here: https://qwocmap.org/films/festival/between-us/ or at the link in our bio!
Jun 2
Join us tomorrow for SEARAC`s final installment of our “Rising Up” webinar series at 2:30 pm – 3 pm ET, when we will discuss findings and recommendations for improving SEAAs` participation in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
CTE programs can offer a low-cost pathway toward high-demand careers by combining classroom education with hands-on training toward an industry credential.
We`ll also welcome research consultant Theresa Chen and Natalie Truong of @advancingjustice_aajc Link to sign up in bio.
Jun 1
