Trump Visa Sanctions Foreshadow Deportation of Hmong Americans to Laos

On Tuesday night, the Trump Administration implemented visa sanctions on Burma and Laos in a blatant attempt to coerce those countries into accepting repatriation agreements that would allow the United States to deport Southeast Asian American refugees to countries they had previously fled. The same false and misleading narrative of “public safety” used to separate families at the border and deny asylum for families fleeing war and poverty in Central America is the same rationale being used by the Trump Administration to justify these inhumane deportations.

Last year, the Trump Administration used the exact same coercion tactics on Cambodia and Vietnam--resulting in the largest round up and removal of Cambodian American refugees in history with reports of those numbers doubling within the next year. Accordingly to SEARAC, “since 1998, 4,568 individuals have been issued deportation orders to Laos. Of that number, there have been a total of 206 deportations, with 4,362 still waiting in limbo.” If the Trump Administration is successful in blackmailing Laos, thousands of Hmong, Mien, Cham, Lao and other refugees from Laos with orders for removal could be deported.

The Trump Administration’s bullying tactics have real consequences for our families and our loved ones. These policies do nothing to improve community safety. Instead, Trump and his administration is tearing families apart and creating a culture of fear and intimidation.

Organizations like 1Love Movement, SEARAC and the Southeast Asian Freedom Network have fought the deportation of our community members for years. For any Hmong or Asian American who thought that we would be immune to this Administration’s xenophobia, I hope this serves as a wake up call. For AAPI organizations who have sat on the sidelines because our communities were not directly affected by family separation and immigrant prisons, I hope this is a reminder that we cannot and must not be silent in the face of injustice because it inevitably will come back to haunt us. For anyone who didn’t vote because they felt like their vote doesn’t count or wouldn’t make a difference, we’re now living the consequences of our lack of participation.

While deportation is not imminent and we still await Laos reaction (update: Lao's response), immigration advocates are encouraging community members with orders for removal to seek out legal assistance. If you have a relative or know someone with an order for removal, here are some resources to help you and family develop a preparedness plan:

• Where do I start? Here’s an important resource guide from SEARAC: Resource Guide for Southeast Asian Americans Facing Criminal Deportation.  
• What should you do if ICE comes to your door or work? Here’s a quick guide: https://undocu.berkeley.edu/what-to-do-if-ice-comes-to-your-door/
• Need Legal Support? Find someone near you. https://www.immigrationlawhelp.org or

For more information, please stay connected with community resources like SEARAC. 

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TAKE ACTION

If you want to take action and push back on the Trump Administration’s policies, here are some steps you can take:

REGISTER TO VOTE and then REGISTER EVERYONE IN YOUR FAMILY TO VOTE.

• www.registertovote.ca.gov

TELL CONGRESS TO STEP UP AND PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY!

Here are the House Representatives with the l Congressional Representatives with the largest Hmong, Mien and Lao populations in California.

• Fresno/Merced
  • Jim Costa - CD 16
    • 559-495-1620 (Fresno)
    • 209-384-1620 (Merced) 
  • Devin Nunes - CD 22
    • 559-323-5235 (Clovis)
    • 559-733-3861 (Visalia)
• Sacramento/Modesto/Merced
  • Jeff Denham - CD 10
    • 209-579-5458 (Modesto)
  • Jerry McNerney - CD 9
    • 209-476-8552 (Stockton)
    • 925-754-0716 (Antioch)
  • Doris Matsui - CD 6
    • 916-498-5600 (Sacramento)
  • Ami Bera - CD 7
    • 916-635-0505 (Sacramento)
  • John Garamendi - CD 3
    • 530-329-8865 (Yuba City)
    • 530-753-5301 (Davis)
    • 707-438-1822 (Fairfield)
• Butte/Yuba
  • Doug LaMalfa - CD 1
    • 530-534-7100 (Oroville)
    • 530-223-5898 (Redding)
    • 530-878-5035 (Auburn)
  • Jared Huffman - CD 2
    • 707-407-3585 (Eureka)
• San Diego
  • Scott Peters - CD 52
    • 858-455-5550 
  • Susan Davis - CD 53
    • 619-280-5353

Use the following script:

"My name is ____ from (city, state). I am calling today because your member represents one of the largest Hmong American populations in the entire country.  Specifically, I’m calling you to ask that the member denounce the Trump Administration's move to coerce Laos into accepting deportees by issuing visa sanctions. This policy will tear families apart and destabilize communities in your district. It is inhumane to deport refugees back to countries they fled because of war and genocide.

Can you tell me the Representative’s stance on deporting refugees?

(wait for answer)

Would you be willing to issue a statement in opposition to the Trump Administration’s efforts to tear apart Hmong families?