Deportation of Cambodian Americans

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Deportation of Cambodian Americans typically refers to the forced repatriation to Cambodia of convicted Cambodian American criminals who lack United States citizenship.

1 Legal background
2 Characteristics of deportees
3 Cambodian reaction
4 References
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Legal background

Until 2001, such deportations were legally permitted under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, but could not be effected due to the lack of an agreement between the United States and Cambodian governments; however, in March 2001, the two governments signed a treaty regulating deportation between the two countries. Cambodian Americans who did not apply for United States citizenship suddenly found themselves liable to being deported even for the commission of misdemeanors, regardless of their green cards or marriage to US citizens.^[1]

[edit] Characteristics of deportees

Deportees are typically young men in their twenties and thirties who arrived in the United States as small children, members of the so-called 1.5 generation. A survey by one immigrant advocacy organization showed that deportees had spent an average of twenty years in the United States.^[2] As such, they received most or all of their education in the US, and often speak Khmer poorly and lack socialization to Cambodian culture. Many are members of youth gangs such as the Tiny Rascal Gang or Asian Boyz. Some were forced to leave behind wives and children in the United States.^[3]

[edit] Cambodian reaction

The incidence of deportation has been projected to increase significantly; as of 2005, out of 1200 to 1500 potential deportees, 127 had been returned to Cambodia, up from 40 three years previously.^[2] Bill Herod, a long-time resident of Cambodia, established the Returnee Assistance Program, a non-governmental organization, to assist deportees in transitioning to life in Cambodia. However, deportees receive no official support, and Cambodian government officials have expressed their consternation that the United States is dumping "American gang members" on the streets of Cambodia.

The integration of these deportees has been mixed. Some have completely integrated into Cambodian society, whilst most tend to live near each other and socialize with each other. Currently, several deportees set up and work for a local harm reducation organization, Korsang, providing help for drug addicts. Korsang has received a lot of attention from the local media as well as international support from leading organizations for its ground breaking work. Another success story has been the establishment of Tiny Toones, a breakdancing school for young poor urban children, set up by a former well known breakdancer, who has been deported back to Cambodia.

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