pre-95 deportation overview

A Cycle of Abandonment and Injustice

In 1975, the United States withdrew from Vietnam, abandoning its South Vietnamese allies—many of whom served in the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces alongside American troops. When the communist government took over, those who had supported by the U.S. faced persecution, imprisonment, torture, or death. Thousands fled, seeking safety and freedom. Many eventually reunited with their families in the U.S., only to face new hardships.

As refugees adapting to a new culture, language, and life with little to no institutional support, many Vietnamese struggled with poverty, discrimination, and trauma. Some, particularly young refugees, made mistakes that led to involvement in the justice system. After serving their criminal sentences—often decades ago—they began to rebuild their lives, taking steps toward healing and integration.

Then came another blow: ICE arrest and detention. These individuals—many with legal permanent residency—were once again punished through deportation proceedings. However, under the 2008 U.S.-Vietnam Repatriation Agreement, Vietnam refused to accept the deportation of individuals who arrived in the U.S. before July 12, 1995, including those with criminal convictions. As a result, ICE had no choice but to release these individuals back into the community.

And they did what America asks of all its citizens—they turned their lives around.

Over the years, they rehabilitated, pursued careers, married, raised U.S. citizen children, became homeowners and business owners, and contributed meaningfully to society. These individuals became stable, peaceful, and productive members of our communities.

But in 2020, under political pressure, the U.S. and Vietnam established a revised agreement creating a new process to deport pre-1995 arrivals—individuals who had once been protected under the original terms. Now, we are witnessing a harsh wave of ICE enforcement, targeting decades-old cases and ruthlessly disregarding the time, effort, and human dignity behind each individual’s transformation.

This is not double punishment—it is triple punishment. First, they were punished by the justice system. Then, by ICE detention and deportation efforts. And now, again, by tearing them away from their families after years—often decades—of rebuilding their lives with the belief that America had given them a second chance.

We believe this is fundamentally wrong, inhumane, and morally indefensible. This new 2020 agreement should not be retroactively applied to individuals who were previously detained and released by ICE under the terms of the 2008 agreement. These are people who were given a chance to rejoin society, who did so in good faith, and who are now being punished again.

To rip them away from their families, strip them of their dignity, and force them into exile in a country they no longer know—often without language, support, or safety—is not justice. It is cruelty.

We call on public officials, legal advocates, and community leaders to stand with us in opposing these inhumane actions. These individuals deserve the opportunity to remain with their families and continue contributing to the communities they’ve called home for decades. Deporting them serves no public benefit—only devastation.

Status of ICE Deportations to Southeast Asian Countries

• There are over 8,600 Vietnamese, Montagnard, and other ethnic minorities with removal orders in the U.S.
• There are over 4,800 people considered by ICE to be nationals of Laos who have removal orders and are living in the U.S. The number includes Hmong, Mien, and other ethnic minority communities.
• There are about 1,700 Cambodians with removal orders in the U.S. 

How We Help Impacted Individuals

• Provide legal navigation and guidance to help individuals understand their rights and access post-conviction relief (PCR) options.
• Support efforts to reduce or modify convictions in order to mitigate immigration consequences and improve chances for relief.
• Assist in building strong case packets, including letters of support, proof of rehabilitation, and documentation to strengthen immigration petitions and PCR filings.
• Connect individuals with trusted legal partners and community-based resources for holistic support.
• Educate families and community members through workshops, know-your-rights trainings, and direct outreach.
• Advocate for local, state, and federal policy changes to protect long-settled immigrants from unjust deportation.
• Champion protections and second chances for refugees and immigrants who have rehabilitated and reintegrated into their communities.

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