Help Us Bring Sithy Home: A Mother, Grandmother & Genocide Survivor Facing Deportation
My mom, Sithy Yi, is a 60-year-old Cambodian American immigrant, genocide survivor, and beloved Santa Ana resident who was detained by ICE on January 8, 2026, during what should have been a routine check-in. After decades of compliance, she now faces deportation to a third country—and potentially back to Cambodia, where her life would be in grave danger.
Why We're Fighting for Her
Sithy survived the Khmer Rouge genocide as a teenager, enduring torture after stealing food to keep her family alive. She escaped to America seeking safety, only to endure domestic violence from a partner who threatened her life—a partner who is now holds a position in Cambodian’s military. If she's deported, she faces the real threat of torture or death.
Due to her trauma, Sithy suffers from severe stress-induced seizures. With reports of brutality in ICE detention facilities and six Asian individuals having died in ICE custody, we fear for her health and safety every single day.
Who Sithy Is to Us—and to Our Community
• A devoted mother of 5 and grandmother of 7
• A cultural dancer keeping Cambodian traditions alive
• A community organizer in Long Beach who uplifts others
• A survivor whose resilience inspires everyone she meets
Sithy didn't just survive—she built a life of service, love, and hope. She deserves to come home.
How You Can Help
Legal fees are mounting rapidly, and our family is struggling to keep up. Your donation will directly support:
• Legal representation to fight her deportation
• Court fees and filing costs
• Family support during this crisis
Every dollar brings us closer to bringing Sithy home.
Even if you can't donate, please share Sithy's story. Awareness matters. Your voice matters.
Thank you for standing with our family.
#SaveSithy #BringSithyHome