July 12, 2018
On July 10, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a visa sanction on Myanmar (also known as Burma) and Laos after these nations refused to accept deported community members from the United States. The current visa restrictions target certain government officials and their respective families, but DHS stated that “these sanctions may be expanded to a wider population.”
Southeast Asian communities in the United States have been targets of deportation with over 16,000 community members served with deportation orders since 1998--including most recently eight Cambodian Americans from Minnesota--which has devastated families locally and nationally. US immigration policies cannot continue to tear apart families. Such policies are beyond inhumane.
APARC stands against any policy that impinges on the lives of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. The recent deportation actions targeting Southeast Asian refugees and this week’s DHS visa sanctions on Myanmar and Laos over their refusal to accept deportees are deeply troubling. Such actions not only fosters fear among our Southeast Asian communities, but further marginalizes our AAPI community as a whole.
APARC serves and supports many students from Myanmar and Laos at the University of Minnesota. For example, our Lao, Hmong, and Karen students make a distinct impact on the multicultural experience of all students, which contributes to the vibrancy of our campus community and culture. Our students serve in student leadership positions, engage in community service activities, and contribute to the academic success of the university. Beyond campus, our students are leaders, educators, and change-makers who contribute to the advancement of our society as a whole.
APARC will continue to work to empower AAPI students from all communities, advocate for voices that are marginalized, and foster an inclusive community for all. We support and will continue to stand up for students, families, and communities affected by this most recent policy.
It is extremely vital that we know and exercise our rights, in educating not only ourselves but our loved ones. Talk to your family members, friends, and community members. Continue to speak up, speak out, and resist the injustice and hateful policies.
Please know that there are resources for you if you are concerned or need support. Below is a list of resources in the Twin Cities.
MORE INFORMATION
Visa Sanctions
- http://time.com/5335281/us-visa-sanctions-myanmar-laos/
Official Statement by DHS
- https://www.dhs.gov/news/2018/07/10/dhs-announces-implementation-visa-sanctions
Statements and documents by the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
- https://www.searac.org/resource-hub/immigration/news-immigration/searac-denounces-visa-sanctions-against-laos-and-myanmar/
- http://www.searac.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Devastating-Impact-of-Deportation-on-Southeast-Asian-Americans-1.pdf
- http://www.searac.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Family-Based-Immigration-brief-1.pdf
LEGAL RESOURCES
UMN University Student Legal Services
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://usls.umn.edu/
Immigration Response Team at UMN
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://immigration.umn.edu/
Center for New Americans
Web: https://www.law.umn.edu/james-h-binger-center-new-americans
General List of Legal Services
- https://www.immigrationlawhelp.org/search?state=MN
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Mini-know your rights card
- https://www.nilc.org/get-involved/community-education-resources/know-your-rights/
- https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-if-youre-stopped-police-immigration-agents-or-fbi
- https://www.aila.org/advo-media/tools/psas/know-your-rights-handouts-if-ice-visits?j=2624291&sfmc_sub=177059780&l=35643_HTML&u=65780696&mid=6342047&jb=0
ADDITIONAL MISC. RESOURCES
Mental Health Tool Kit
- https://unitedwedream.org/2017/10/mental-health-toolkit/
- https://unitedwedream.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/F_NLPA-UWD-Mental-Health-Resources.pdf