CONCERNS ABOUT
THE DEPORTATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIANS
IN THE UNITED STATES
TO SOUTHEAST ASIA
1628 – 16th Street, N.W. _ Washington, D.C. 20009-3099 _ Tel: 202/667-4690 _ Fax: 202/667-6449
Email: searac@searac.org _ Website: www.searac.org

SUMMARY OF CHALLENGES
FACING SOUTHEAST ASIAN AMERICANS
• In 1996 laws were put into place requiring that non-citizens
who were convicted of crimes called “aggravated felonies” be
deported from the United States. At the same time and since
1996, the definition of “aggravated felony” has been expanded
to include crimes that carry sentences of two years or more –
even if no actual time was spent in jail because of suspended
sentences or parole.

• In 2002, Cambodia and the U.S. signed an agreement making
it possible to deport non-citizens to Cambodia. As of
December 2004, 126 people had been deported to Cambodia.
As far as we know, no deportations of refugees to Laos or
Vietnam have taken place yet, although the U.S. and
Southeast Asian governments are negotiating agreements.

DETENTION BEFORE DEPORTATION
• Before they are deported from the United States people from
Southeast Asia and other parts of the world are often kept in
“detention,” where they have little access to visits from family
or friends, and where they have few legal rights.

• Hundreds of people are in detention, and thousands are in
danger of being deported to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam (if
and when agreements are made between the U.S., Laos, and
Vietnam

WHAT CAN WE DO?

1. Educate more community members about deportation so they will
be able to avoid it, and so the laws can change.
2. If you or someone you know is facing a criminal charge, or
deportation, get a lawyer. A list of “pro bono” lawyers is available
on SEARAC’s website:
http://www.searac.org/probono_legal.html
3. Learn more about deportation by visiting SEARAC’s website:
http://www.searac.org/cambrepbak6_02.html
4. Support organizations that work with deportees and their families
in the U.S. and Southeast Asia. Organizations in the U.S. can be
found by searching the keyword “deportation” at
http://www.searac.org/maa/. The Returnee Assistance Project,
of Cambodia, can be visited at http://www.rapcambodia.org