Khmer Girls in Action’s role is to empower young Southeast Asian women to become relevant social justice organizers who can respond to the immediate needs of their communities.
History | Values | Strategies | Analysis | Back to About Us
Analysis
KGA has longstanding commitment to the holistic development of young women and girls. For young women of color, especially those from immigrant and refugee communities there are many barriers affecting their health and well being. Our programs are designed to engage young women and girls in a safe environment on topics such as body image, safe sex practices, pregnancy prevention and sexual identity. We also train our members through our leadership development programs to make the connections between reproductive health and social justice and to learn skills in community organizing and policy advocacy.
Our goal is to increase the community's power and ability to challenge oppressive systems and institutions that are not accountable to immigrant/refugee needs. KGA opposes deportation because it attacks the immigrant communities:
- Deportation will break up families in our community.
- Deportation punishes immigrants twice. These people have already served their time for the crimes they committed.
- Deportation sends people back to a place they didn't grow up in. Most will not be able to survive because they don't know the language or the culture.
Who has received orders to be deported?
On March 22, 2002, the US conducted secret negotiations with Cambodia and obtained a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), allowing Cambodian refugees to be forcibly deported. As of January 2003, an estimated 1,541 Cambodians have been issued "final orders of removal" and could be deported at any time. Over half of these potential deportees are the main income providers for their families. One-third of these deportees have American born children. On average these deportees arrived in the U.S. at the age of nine and have lived here for 20 years. Most have little or no knowledge of the culture and language skills needed to survive in Cambodia. Forty-six Cambodians who have lived in the United States most of their lives have already been deported.
There have been reported "criminal removals" by the INS of immigrants from other countries such as the Philippines, Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, El Salvador and other countries in Central America. Repatriation agreements with Vietnam, Laos, and Cuba are apparently also in the works.
Why is this happening?
In 1996, the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act passed. Before this law the sentence for a deportable crime was 5 years, now it's only 1 year. This law is also retroactive, which means if you committed an aggravated felony 20 years ago (before the law was passed), you are now eligible for deportation.
Who can get deported?
Anyone who is not a citizen and has been found guilty of a crime that is punishable with a prison sentence of 1 year or more. This includes immigrants who are legal permanent residents. If you are let out early and do not serve full time, you could still be deported. So you can be deported even if you get probation and serve no time at all (as long as your crime is punishable by a 1-year sentence). Deportable crimes include non-violent crimes like: gambling, driving under the influence (DUI), shop lifting, petty theft, joy riding, and possession of marijuana and writing bad checks. (This list can vary for state to state depending on the sentencing guidelines of that state.) The majority of the crime listed falls under the term, which can disqualify you from many relief's of cancellation.
You can also get deported if you have:
Any Criminal Convictions
Even if the conviction is old, you have a Green Card, or you never went to jail. Consult a lawyer specializing in deportation before you to the immigration office, leave the country, or applying for your Green Card/citizenship.
No Papers
You may be undocumented/ have no paperwork if you crossed the border, overstayed your visa, came on a false passport, or are adjusting your statues (even if you have a work permit).
Old Order of Deportation
Sometimes immigration orders you deported but does not tell you. You may have an old order if your asylum case, skipped an immigration interview or skipped an immigration hearing. To find out if you have an old order of deportation follow these steps:
- Find your Alien Registration Number (A#). It is on the I-94 card on your passport, Green Card, work permit or any other document from immigration. If looks like: A99 999 999
- Call 1-800-898-7180. This is the hotline for immigration court (EOIR)
- Press "1" for English or "2" for Spanish.
- Enter your A-number and listen for instructions. If your number is in the system, then this means that you have had a deportation case at some time.
- Press "3" to find out if an immigration judge ordered deportation (removal) against you.
- If the hotline says you have a deportation/removal order, consult a lawyer specializing in immigration deportation before you go to the immigration office, leave the country, or try to adjust your status.
Ways you Can Help
- Contact KGA to learn more
- Contact your represented politician to express your outrage in this racist law and get their support.
- Make a donation to support KGA's efforts to fight deportation
- Help spread the word about deportation or volunteer your time to help us raise awareness or support the people affected.
- Invite KGA to conduct a presentation for your group, next meeting classroom, etc...
HOME | ABOUT US | PROGRAMS |MEDIA | SUPPORT | KGA's STORE |CONTACT US | RESOURCES
