Advice to Deportees

Advice to Deportees (Khmer Americans living in the U.S. on Supervised Release)


Here is a video of Cambodian American Returnees living in Cambodia. Some of them are homeless, most of them are unemployed, and all face the stigma and discrimination of being Returnees in Cambodia. Some work on rice fields and earn $8 a day, some of them are living among monks at a monastery, one of the only places that can provide shelter. Some are addicted to drugs and drinking, and find it hard to kick an old habit; others are doing well, and working at NGOs helping Cambodian youth.

Back in the United States, over 2,000 Cambodian Americans await their deportation. They are on "supervised release." These people have to check in with an immigration official every so often (either once a month, every two months, three months, six months, or once a year).

Some individuals have been on supervised release for 6 years... and some of them think they will never get deported. However, you can never predict when you will actually get deported. They might throw handcuffs on you at one of your check-ins... they might storm your house with a warrant.

Please send this video to any Cambodian American whom you know who is on Supervised Release or who is at-risk of Deportation.


ADVICE TO DEPORTEES LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES
1. Know that you can be deported at anytime at any moment, without any notice. Stop denying it, stop thinking it will never happen, stop procrastinating! Preparing for your deportation should be # 1 on your list of priorities, even if you think you are not getting deported for a very long time.

2. Prepare by saving as much money as possible.

3. Start thinking NOW about your future employment in Cambodia - there are things you can do NOW in the U.S.A. to make your survival a bit easier (if you think you can make it in the tech field, get certified in computer skills, and make sure you have a computer you can bring with you to Cambodia)

4. Enjoy and embrace every last moment that you have with loved ones and family.

5. Call or E-mail RISC (Returnee Integration Support Center) today!
www.risccambodia.org or call (855) 11-736-123 or email info@risccambodia.org

Now, watch the video and see for yourself!

Produced by RISC, PrYSM, and Deported Diaspora

Filmed by Kohei Ishihara on November 30, 2009.