Deportation of Cambodian Americans

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

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]

Characteristics of deportees

Deportees are typically young men in their twenties and thirties who were born in Cambodia or the Thai refugee camps and 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. Much of them dropped out of school when they were young and took the streets, because they had a lack of parental supervision and role models. Many once were members of Khmer youth gangs such as the Tiny Rascal Gang, Asian Boyz Oriental Boy Soldiers Oriental Blood Brothers and GrandVille Boys. Some were forced to leave behind wives and children in the United States.^[3]

Cambodian reaction

The incidence of deportation has been projected to increase significantly; as of 2005^[update], 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.^[3] They hire Cambodian American deportees who go through the neighborhoods and streets in order to talk to drug users. They give out condoms and tell drug addicts about the danger of spreading HIV through sharing needles for heroin use and offer them help in cutting down or quiting their addiction.

Another success story has been the establishment of Tiny Toones, a breakdancing troop for poor urban children, set up by Tuy Sobil who goes by the name "KK." He grew up in Long Beach, California, where he was exposed to b-boying and danced for 4 years after seeing it at the parks. He became involved in gang activitiy which caused him to be deported to Cambodia in 2004.^[4] The organization was founded after nine young kids learned that he used to b-boy when he was younger and asked him to teach them. He rejected their request the first couple of times, because he didn't think he could start dancing again after quitting so long ago. He gave in the third time that they asked him, and began dance classes from his small flat. He also started hosting bboy battles in the park on Sundays, where crowds of hundreds passers-by and children would gather to see kid dance crews from different neighborhoods compete just for respect. The popularity of b-boying and Tiny Toones grew tremendously from there, and people have recognized their talent and hired them for performances. KK's home serves as the local teen community center where the staff encourages the kids to stay in school and away from drugs and gangs.

References

1. ^ Mintier, Tom (2002-11-19). "One-way ticket for convicted Cambodians". CNN. http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/11/19/cambodia.returnees/. Retrieved 2006-10-03. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Schwartzapfel, Beth (2005-05-14). "Fighting to Stay". AlterNet. http://www.alternet.org/wiretap/21744/. Retrieved 2006-10-03. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Montlake, Simon (2003-02-11). "Cambodians deported home". BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2745181.stm. Retrieved 2006-10-03. 
4. ^ Fenn, Mark (2007-07-09). "A second chance in Cambodia". Asia Sentinel. http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=572&Itemid=34. Retrieved 2007-07-12. 

External links

• Returnee Integration Support Program
• Sentenced Home, pbs.org
• Clip about KK from Straight Up Refugees Documentary
• Khor Sang Website
• Tiny Toones Website
• Deported Diaspora's Website
• "Judge Keeps His Word to Immigrant Who Kept His", New York Times, February 18, 2010