A Vietnamese woman, who fled to the U.S. in the 1970s, expresses concern over the current climate of fear among immigrant communities, reminiscent of the upheaval she escaped. With a family member facing potential deportation amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration, she describes living in constant anxiety: “You are afraid to go to church. You are afraid to get on the bus.” This situation affects over 8,500 Vietnamese nationals who face deportation over old convictions, some dating back decades. Southeast Asians are disproportionately affected, with advocates noting they face three to five times the risk of deportation compared to other groups, given their status as refugees and the challenges of adapting to life in the U.S.
Experts highlight a troubling pattern, where refugees faced inadequate resources, leading to entanglement in the criminal justice system and eventual deportation upon serving sentences. As the Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary is marked, these issues for the refugee community have grown more pronounced. Quyen Dinh, of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, emphasizes the tense atmosphere during Trump’s presidency, which saw a steep increase in deportations compared to previous administrations, with many of these refugees previously protected by a 2008 U.S.-Vietnam agreement.
The deteriorating U.S.-Vietnam relationship, particularly influenced by geopolitical tensions with China, has pressured Vietnam to accept deportees. Major immigration reforms and legal protections have eroded, igniting fears that deportees could find themselves sent to unfamiliar countries. The legacy of the Vietnam War continues to impact refugees, as many struggle economically and educationally in the United States, where over one-fifth live as low-income individuals.
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