Collective Freedom stands with Southeast Asian Americans who have final orders of removal, providing information on deportation preparation, and helping them navigate the deportation process, including resettlement in Southeast Asia.
Rooted in community building, mutual aid, and legal education, we support impacted communities from before detention, while in detention, and resettlement in their home country.
Many Southeast Asian Americans came to the U.S. as refugees, fleeing war and genocide, only to face criminalization, detention, and deportation decades later. Through a community and participatory defense model, Collective Freedom helps individuals and their family members address their final orders of removal while ensuring they receive culturally responsive support.
For those who have already been deported to Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia, we aim to provide critical post-deportation support, helping individuals connect with resources to navigate life in an unfamiliar homeland. Many deportees face isolation, language barriers, and economic hardship upon arrival, and we work to ensure they are not forgotten by providing direct support and assistance.
Our mission is clear: No one should have to be alone when facing exile from the only home they have ever known. We are dedicated to supporting our community members with dignity and transparency for informed decision making.
SOUTHEAST ASIANS AND MASS DEPORTATION: A HISTORY AND TIMELINE