Original report from Washington
23 June 2008
Nearly 1,500 Cambodians have been deported under a US law that allows illegal immigrant felons to be returned to their home countries after serving their sentences.
For people like Chea Sath, whose son was deported in 2004, the policy has meant the division of a family that strived to stay together through the Khmer Rouge.
Chea Sath's son, Mam Chhen, was four years old when he came to the US, joining an exodus that would eventually reach 100,000 Cambodian refugees in America after the collapse of the regime.
Chea Sath never wanted her family to split up, she said in an interview, but Mam Chhen found himself straddling two cultures as he grew.
"Chhen came to the US as a child, and quickly he assimilated into the street culture of the poor neighborhoods, and he got into trouble with the law," Chea Sath said.
Mam Chhen was convicted of a shooting and spent five years in jail. Following that, in December 2004, he was deported.
"My son faces a very difficult adjustment in a country he fled, and I support him with money every month," Chea Sath said, with worry on her face. "I have gone to visit my son three times in Cambodia since he left the US in 2004, and I'm not sure he'll have a safe life. He needs to adapt to a life and culture that is very different to his experiences in America."
For people like Chea Sath, whose son was deported in 2004, the policy has meant the division of a family that strived to stay together through the Khmer Rouge.
Chea Sath's son, Mam Chhen, was four years old when he came to the US, joining an exodus that would eventually reach 100,000 Cambodian refugees in America after the collapse of the regime.
Chea Sath never wanted her family to split up, she said in an interview, but Mam Chhen found himself straddling two cultures as he grew.
"Chhen came to the US as a child, and quickly he assimilated into the street culture of the poor neighborhoods, and he got into trouble with the law," Chea Sath said.
Mam Chhen was convicted of a shooting and spent five years in jail. Following that, in December 2004, he was deported.
"My son faces a very difficult adjustment in a country he fled, and I support him with money every month," Chea Sath said, with worry on her face. "I have gone to visit my son three times in Cambodia since he left the US in 2004, and I'm not sure he'll have a safe life. He needs to adapt to a life and culture that is very different to his experiences in America."
7 comments:
Can anyone tell that why could he be deported, wasn't he still not an american citizent, even if he had lived there such long time?
Legal Permanent Residents (LPR) can be subject to deportation proceeding if they commit an “aggravated felony” under U.S. law, and it’s not just “felons” but any conviction of a misdemeanor or felony under state law can be considered an “aggravated felony.” For example, a person charged with a simple possession of an illegal drug is considered an “aggravated felony” even though they may have been convicted of a misdemeanor possession charge- or those charged with misdemeanor domestic violence. This means that regardless of how long they are in the U.S., if they are not U.S. Citizens they are subject to deportation. Once charged with a violation that is adjudged to be an “aggravated felony” they will be deported unless they qualify for forms of relief the main one being “Cancellation of Deportation”. To qualify they must have been in the U.S. “continuously” for 7 years and the offense must not be considered an aggravated felony. Cambodia has agreed to accept these deportees for the past several years now and those deported have real adjustment problems the least of which is that many don’t have good Khmer language skills, and have no real job skills other than speaking English.
Yeah, but the law is stupid because it sends criminal to harm innocent people in Cambodia. The US adopted these refugees, if they are sick or whatever, the US should stay committed to resolve it (any problem that is created in the US.) This is no difference from a person who adopted a child. When the child sicks or turns bad, they don't give it back. They'll fixed the problem at their own expences.
YOU CAN'T COMPARED A CHILD BEING SICK TO AN ADULT COMMIT HEINOUS CRIME. A CHILD DOESN'T HAVE A CHOICE TO CHOOSE NOR KNOWING RIGHT FROM WRONG. EVERY IMMIGRANT HAS HIS/HER RIGHTS TO OBEY THE LAW. ESPECIALLY THE LAW IN THEIR ADOPTED COUNTRY. I AGREE WITH DEPORTATIONS PRECEDING IF THE CRIMES IS A FELONY/HEINOUS, BUT NOT MISDEMEANOR.
A MISDEMEANORS DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE.
The reality is that most deportees have only committed minor offenses such as domestic violence which is filed on even a mere accusation by one partner. Many people charged with a crime plea bargain, even if there not guilty because they are told that if they plead they will got out for time served then be on three years probation. Those offenses come back to haunt them when they become subject to deportation.
The Cambodian government apparently does not screen who they are accepting as many countries do. For example a simple domestic violence or simple possession of small amounts of drugs-in most Federal District courts, including marijuana over- 30 ounces- will results in deportation if the person does not qualify for relief.
If the Cambodian government screened out the minor crimes and refused to accept those, it might be different. Those convicted of violent crimes are certainly going to be deported but why should a country like Cambodia with little or no resources to deal with these violent criminals accept them? Also, as far as I know the U.S. government does not pay money to the Royal Gov. to help with the transition of these individuals, many of whom suffer from psychiatric problems. In my view the Cambodian government should change it's position and stop taking deportees, or in the alternative insist on funds to set up a transitional phase including properly trained psychiatrists, social workers etc.
12:08,
YES THEY DO!
PER EACH DEPORTEES IS EQUIVALENCE TO $1,500.
IF THE CAMBODIAN GOV'T REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE EXTRADITIONS, THE US WILL NOT ALLOWED ANY KHMER TO TRAVEL ABROAD.
RIP Chhen Mam aka Smilee ππππ
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