36 Cambodian-Americans to Be Repatriated

[geovalin]

Since 2002, more than 500 Cambodians have been repatriated from the United States.

PHNOM PENH — 

The Cambodian government has agreed to receive some 36 Cambodians who will be deported from the United States.

Since 2002, more than 500 Cambodians have been repatriated from the US.

 

General Khieu Sopheak Ministry of Interior spokesman, on Friday said interviews were conducted with 46 potential deportees several months ago and 36 were approved.

 

The deportations came as President Donald Trump tightened restrictions on immigration.

Am Sam Ath, monitoring manager at local rights group Licadho, said Cambodians deported from the United States would find it hard to adapt to their new surroundings and would require support.

 

“This is very necessary… this is what the governments have to discuss and the U.S. is a country that implements democracy. Thus, they must understand rights and freedom of the people,” he said.

Gen. Sopheak said the government was reviewing a draft agreement with the United States on deportation conditions.

 

source http://www.voacambodia.com/a/thirty-six-cambodian-americans-to-be-repatriated/3714725.html

 

 

-- © Copyright VOA 09/02

[Thanyaburi Mac]

To be a bit more correct, these are most likely Cambodians in America with Green Cards, not U.S. citizens, eg Americans.

 

Congress passed a law some years ago mandating deportation for non-citizens convicted of a crime.  Thus, in addition to perhaps jail time, a non-citizen may be deported to their country of origin.  Many have been sent back to Cambodia, some to Vietname, some to Thailand, none to Laos, and I have no idea of the numbers for the rest of the world.

 

Mac

[Srikcir]

55 minutes ago, Thanyaburi Mac said:

convicted of a crime

aggravated felonies and drug offenses

[sawadeeken]

Personally I know of many, many,  Cambodian refugees in California who have been in the US for years and on Public Assistance, free or reduced rate housing, Food Stamps and Public Medical....... And then raking in big money on top by selling things at 'Flea Markets' or working 'under the table' as cooks in Vietnamese Restruants, Etc......... Paying no taxes but using all tax-funded benefits...... Raping our Public Assistance Benefits.......... Many driving 'big name' new cars........

I hope to see a few of then 'repatriated' to their home countries...........

THEN---- I may begin to like this new President............

[Sheryl]

Many of those repatriated are young people who came to the US as infants or toddlers, have no memory of Cambodia and do not speak the language or do so only poorly.  Makes it very hard for them to adjust to life in Cambodia.

 

The problem arises because their parents (and themselves, once/if of age) failed to pursue citizenship and then the kid  committed a crime. Does not have to be a serious or violent crime, any felony - simple possession of marijuana for example. Had they gotten citizenship then deportation would not be a risk, but in its absence, this happens.

 

Unfortunately many immigrant parents do not understand this implication of failing to get citizenship and don't get it, and of course we all know that teenagers and youth in their early 20's -- which are the main group that ends up deported due to criminal record -- aren't very good at identifying risks and taking proactive measures. Having grown up in a family where everyone settled for permanent resident status they take it for granted and it never occurs to them that there is a down side...until it is too late.

 

The sad part s that while the parents truly would have had difficulty passing the tests for citizenship (mainly due to language barriers) the kids could easily do so.

[bangon04]

" said Cambodians deported from the United States would find it hard to adapt to their new surroundings and would require support. "

 

like air conditioning, state of the art hospital with EMT service, big car, schools, Walmart, credit cards, TV with 200 channels of home shopping, the list is endless....