HELP Samol
Donation protected
On Monday, July 1st, 2019 over 50 Cambodian Americans are scheduled to be deported. One of these individuals is Samol Sao of Minnesota.
Samol Sao was born in Battambang, Cambodia in 1977. During the Khmer Rouge Genocide, his family escaped the country, and eventually resettled in Minnesota as refugees. Samol has never returned to Cambodia and has no recollection of the country. Despite this, he is scheduled for deportation for a crime committed 17 years ago. Samol has served his time. The victim of his incident has written a letter of support for him, and the Rice County Attorney had also agreed to modify his original sentence due to the severe consequences of that conviction.
The sentencing change gave the Immigration Judge the power to reopen his deportation order and restore his Lawful Permanent Resident status. Rather than exercising this discretionary power, the Immigration Judge ignored the sentence modification and Samol’s eligibility for cancellation of removal.
This decision is heart breaking and does not consider the hardship he would face if deported to Cambodia, and the pain that will be experienced by our community and family (his parents, wife, daughter, son, step-children, and twelve siblings).
Samol's case is currently in appeal with the Bureau of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Recently, the BIA denied Samol's request to stay in the US until the decision of the appeal is made. Samol continues to be on the flight to Cambodia, even though his appeal is still pending. Our family is devastated and hopes that we can try to get Samol back home.
ICE refused to take luggage for Samol and now he is heading to Cambodia with no personal items. Please help with whatever you can, while we figure out next steps. #right2return #not1more
Samol Family Video
Samol Sao was born in Battambang, Cambodia in 1977. During the Khmer Rouge Genocide, his family escaped the country, and eventually resettled in Minnesota as refugees. Samol has never returned to Cambodia and has no recollection of the country. Despite this, he is scheduled for deportation for a crime committed 17 years ago. Samol has served his time. The victim of his incident has written a letter of support for him, and the Rice County Attorney had also agreed to modify his original sentence due to the severe consequences of that conviction.
The sentencing change gave the Immigration Judge the power to reopen his deportation order and restore his Lawful Permanent Resident status. Rather than exercising this discretionary power, the Immigration Judge ignored the sentence modification and Samol’s eligibility for cancellation of removal.
This decision is heart breaking and does not consider the hardship he would face if deported to Cambodia, and the pain that will be experienced by our community and family (his parents, wife, daughter, son, step-children, and twelve siblings).
Samol's case is currently in appeal with the Bureau of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Recently, the BIA denied Samol's request to stay in the US until the decision of the appeal is made. Samol continues to be on the flight to Cambodia, even though his appeal is still pending. Our family is devastated and hopes that we can try to get Samol back home.
ICE refused to take luggage for Samol and now he is heading to Cambodia with no personal items. Please help with whatever you can, while we figure out next steps. #right2return #not1more
Samol Family Video
Organizer
Blake Sao
Organizer
Lakeville, MN
