Support MN's FIRST returnee from deportation
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Release MN8 successfully helped our community member return to Minnesota after his removal to Cambodia in August of 2018. His return on March 3rd, 2021 was won with the help from immigration attorney Mai Neng Moua. She was also the primary attorney on Release MN8’s campaign in 2016, and assisted in securing the release of two out of three men in immigration custody: Chamreoun Phan and Sameth Nhean.
Our community member came to the U.S at the age of four as a refugee from America’s Secret War on Cambodia and Laos. After getting charged in 1996 when he was just 18 years old, he served his time and rehabilitated. He got married, bought a home, and had children. While being the primary caretaker for his family, he never missed his children’s games, practices and recitals. As he returns to Minnesota after three long years of separation, he shares: “I am happy to be reunited with my family. I’m trying to better myself and get back on my feet as I settle back into life here.”
Attorney Mai Neng Moua is also happy with his successful return to Minnesota as she explains: “We thought the case was over when we were not successful with the motion for an emergency stay of removal and he was deported from the US. We were surprised when the Board of Immigration Appeal granted our motion to reopen his removal case and remanded the case back to the immigration court, which subsequently terminated removal proceedings. The termination of his case allowed him to finally come back home and be reunited with his family.”
“SEARAC is proud to have supported Release MN8 in their anti-deportation efforts,” says Quyen Dinh, Executive Director of Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC). “We hope this case, and the other cases of individuals returned, demonstrate to Congress and the White House that our immigration enforcement system must be overhauled and that a process must be created to bring the deported back home to their communities and families.”
Over the past three years, there have been six returns to the U.S in total, including our returnee. He is the first Southeast Asian person in the Midwest’s history to return to the U.S following a removal. As Release MN8 supports our current returnee, we are keeping his identity confidential, per his request for privacy.
Despite the joy of reunion, our community member is left with many hardships. Montha Chum, Executive Director of Release MN8, says, “ When individuals return after having their lives uprooted by the United States they are retraumatized and face significant socioeconomic barriers, including finding a stable income and affordable housing. Our country does not have the proper systems in place to support these individuals. There is also an enormous need for healing from this trauma. Not only does Congress need to dismantle our immigration enforcement system, but they must take bold action to return those who have been removed and provide them with the necessary resources to live.”
As our community member tries to navigate those systems, he shares: “The reintegration process is like a second deportation to me because of the instability and uncertainty of everything. My financial struggles keep me from having time to spend with my kids, and even when they live so close to me now, it feels like I’m still separated from them.”
Please help Release MN8 extend a warm welcome back to our community member by supporting our goal of raising $10,000 for his reintegration. All proceeds will go towards our community member.
Our community member came to the U.S at the age of four as a refugee from America’s Secret War on Cambodia and Laos. After getting charged in 1996 when he was just 18 years old, he served his time and rehabilitated. He got married, bought a home, and had children. While being the primary caretaker for his family, he never missed his children’s games, practices and recitals. As he returns to Minnesota after three long years of separation, he shares: “I am happy to be reunited with my family. I’m trying to better myself and get back on my feet as I settle back into life here.”
Attorney Mai Neng Moua is also happy with his successful return to Minnesota as she explains: “We thought the case was over when we were not successful with the motion for an emergency stay of removal and he was deported from the US. We were surprised when the Board of Immigration Appeal granted our motion to reopen his removal case and remanded the case back to the immigration court, which subsequently terminated removal proceedings. The termination of his case allowed him to finally come back home and be reunited with his family.”
“SEARAC is proud to have supported Release MN8 in their anti-deportation efforts,” says Quyen Dinh, Executive Director of Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC). “We hope this case, and the other cases of individuals returned, demonstrate to Congress and the White House that our immigration enforcement system must be overhauled and that a process must be created to bring the deported back home to their communities and families.”
Over the past three years, there have been six returns to the U.S in total, including our returnee. He is the first Southeast Asian person in the Midwest’s history to return to the U.S following a removal. As Release MN8 supports our current returnee, we are keeping his identity confidential, per his request for privacy.
Despite the joy of reunion, our community member is left with many hardships. Montha Chum, Executive Director of Release MN8, says, “ When individuals return after having their lives uprooted by the United States they are retraumatized and face significant socioeconomic barriers, including finding a stable income and affordable housing. Our country does not have the proper systems in place to support these individuals. There is also an enormous need for healing from this trauma. Not only does Congress need to dismantle our immigration enforcement system, but they must take bold action to return those who have been removed and provide them with the necessary resources to live.”
As our community member tries to navigate those systems, he shares: “The reintegration process is like a second deportation to me because of the instability and uncertainty of everything. My financial struggles keep me from having time to spend with my kids, and even when they live so close to me now, it feels like I’m still separated from them.”
Please help Release MN8 extend a warm welcome back to our community member by supporting our goal of raising $10,000 for his reintegration. All proceeds will go towards our community member.
Co-organizers (3)
Release MN8
Organizer
St. Paul, MN
Nam Anh Nguyen
Co-organizer
Vandali Vang
Co-organizer