Cambodian students protest

University of the Pacific students and sisters Chandra Chhin, left, and Caly Chhin attend a rally on campus Wednesday to protest what they call unjust deportation of some Southeast Asian immigrants in the United States. (Photo: Cliffors Oto/The Record)

Rally meant to spotlight Southeast Asian immigrants' plight

By Jennifer Torres
Record Staff Writer
April 24, 2008

STOCKTON - A group of Cambodian students and their allies rallied at University of the Pacific on Wednesday to protest what they believe are unjust U.S. deportation policies and to call attention to the overall status of Southeast Asian immigrants.
The efforts, participants said, demonstrate that while groups such as Pacific's Cambodian Student Association work to preserve Southeast Asian culture, they also are participants in American civic life.
Wednesday's lunchtime rally was one of six held at campuses throughout California to protest the deportation of some Southeast Asian immigrants.
In 1996, the U.S. government expanded its list of deportable offenses to include crimes such as domestic violence and drunken driving. The change was retroactive so that noncitizens who had been convicted of those crimes in the past - even if they had since reformed - still could be deported.
In the case of many Cambodians, immigrants face deportation to a country where they might have little memory and to which they have no connection, said Caly Chhin, who leads the Cambodian Student Association.
"They were born in a different country, but they have lived here their whole lives," the 22-year-old history student said.
Chhin and other students at the rally said they want immigration judges to consider such deportations on a case-by-case basis.
Other organizations, meanwhile, have argued that immigrants who break laws give up their right to stay in the United States and shouldn't receive special consideration.
From 1975 to 1979, an estimated 1.7 million people - 21 percent of Cambodia's population - were killed when Khmer Rouge forces took over the country.
Thousands fled. Many of them came to the United States as refugees.
Over the past decade, San Joaquin County has received far more refugees from Southeast Asia than from any other region of the world. From 1995 to 2007, 1,203 refugees came to the county from Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia.
The next highest number, 27, came from Afghanistan.
More than 10,000 county residents claim Cambodian ancestry.
Chhin said she hoped Wednesday's rally and future events would underscore challenges the community has faced. For example, education remains a struggle for many Cambodians, she said.
According to data from the California Department of Education, Cambodian children have earned lower standardized test scores than San Joaquin County's average, as well as Asian students overall.
"This is a way to highlight needs here," said Savong Lam of the organization United Cambodian Families, which advises the student group.
Sondra Roeuny, president of United Cambodian Families, said, "It's encouraging to see our young leaders ... exercising their voice. It's not just about cultural heritage. We're Americans, too."
Contact reporter Jennifer Torres at (209) 546-8252 or jtorres@recordnet.com.