Dreaming boldly, for generations past, present, and future
The year SEARAC was founded, in response to the largest mass resettlement of refugees in US history
Learn more about our impactThe rough estimate of SEAAs living in CA, a number representing 1/3 of the total population of SEAAs in the United States
Learn more about our work in CA
Spotlight
Highlights from SEARAC’s 2025 LAT Program
Washington, DC – THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for SEARAC’s 2025 Leadership and Advocacy Training (LAT) program! We were honored to be joined by a diverse cohort of 34 participants,…
Read more
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on the SEARAC community, and to learn more about how you can get involved.
Latest News and Stories
For decades, Southeast Asian refugees have lived under the shadow of detention and deportation policies that punish our families long after we’ve rebuilt our lives. Now, two of our community members—one from Vietnam and one from Laos—have been secretly deported and imprisoned in Eswatini for more than six weeks. They remain locked away in Eswatini’s largest prison without charges, without legal counsel, and without access to their families. Their attorney, Tin Thanh Nguyen, has been repeatedly denied the ability to speak with them or confirm their safety. These deportations are cruel, unlawful, and dangerous. They are a direct attack on our Southeast Asian refugee communities. SEARAC stands in solidarity with the families, attorneys, and human rights defenders fighting for their freedom.
Read the full statement from Tin at the link in our bio!
Sep 2
DYK: Adults 50+ are at increased risk from COVID-19? Don’t let COVID spoil your summer. It’s not too late — getting the vaccine now can help protect you from severe illness. Discover more with @cveepsocial at cveep.org/stayupdated
Aug 29
Instead of investing in healthcare, education, and basic needs, Congress chose to expand deportations and give the Trump Administration more power to target immigrants and refugees. SEARAC remains committed to mobilizing and defending our communities, including Southeast Asian families, against unjust detention and deportation.
Aug 28
This month, SEARAC proudly joined our California partners including @aypalpower, @cerieastbay, @firmunity, @hipcalifornia, and @varoundtable for the #PardonRefugees rally as a part of the Pardon Refugees Coalition, a collective effort to fight for pardons for Southeast Asian refugees and immigrants facing deportation. The day was a reminder of our collective strength and the urgent need to keep families and communities together.
Aug 27
On the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, Sarah Burtner reflects on her family’s journey—from her grandmother and five children finding refuge with the sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in 1975, to the enduring truth that women and refugees continue to build futures rooted in dignity, compassion, and courage against harmful ideologies.
Read Sarah and Kathy`s full #OurRootsOurPower blogpost at the link in our bio!
Aug 26
