Sim Loeuth, aka Louis, a 43-year-old Cambodian national deported from Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, talks to reporters outside the gates of the immigration police offices after arriving across the street at Phnom Penh International Airport yesterday. 2010 Rick ValenzuelaFriday, 03 September 2010
Brooke Lewis and Mom Kunthear
The Phnom Penh Post
FIVE Cambodians, including one woman, arrived in the Kingdom yesterday after being deported from the United States as part of a controversial operation that the American embassy in Phnom Penh described as an example of “excellent bilateral cooperation”.
The new arrivals bring to 234 the number of Cambodians who have been deported from the US as the result of an agreement signed by the two countries in 2002. Only three of those are women.
All the deportees are former legal permanent US residents who have served prison sentences or been given suspended sentences for aggravated felonies, a classification that was expanded in 1996 to include some crimes that were previously misdemeanours.
The five returnees, who arrived at Phnom Penh International Airport at 11:20am and were immediately transferred into the custody of the Interior Ministry’s Immigration Department, were among a group of nearly 50 Cambodians held in the US in advance of being deported.
Activists in two US cities have decried the latest round of deportations. Deported Diaspora, a Boston-based organisation, collected more than 2,000 signatures on a petition that was scheduled to be sent to the US government last week. The petition asked the government to prevent the deportations from proceeding.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Tuesday that about 80 people had attended a rally on Monday to call attention to the case of 35-year-old Hov Ly Kol, who was expected to be deported this week.
But the US embassy said yesterday that the deportations were necessary.
“Every sovereign nation recognises the need to receive their citizens back to their countries, and both the Kingdom of Cambodia and the United States share this commitment,” the embassy said in an emailed statement. The embassy also said it remained “committed to helping the returnees successfully to reintegrate into Cambodian society”.
Cambodian officials have been largely mum on the details of the operation, offering no information about the individual deportees and scant information on how they were being processed.
Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, predicted on Monday that a group of 10 returnees would arrive this week, but said yesterday that he could not confirm when the other five would arrive.
He acknowledged that it may be difficult for returnees to adjust to life in a new country, but said the Kingdom would “welcome them because they are still Cambodian citizens and they do not have American nationality”.
He referred further questions to the Immigration Department, which referred questions to National Police spokesman Kirt Chantharith, who could not be reached for comment.
A deportee who arrived in Cambodia six years ago and went to meet the new arrivals at the Immigration Department facility where they were held yesterday afternoon said “a lot” of returnees end up homeless and jobless. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he accused the US embassy of not doing enough to help deportees adapt to life in Cambodia, a country with which many of them are unfamiliar.
“Most of these guys are shocked, traumatised, separated from their families. Someone has to help these guys stabilise mentally,” he said, and called for the embassy to facilitate reintegration by providing education, job placement and clinical supervision.
As he left the Immigration Department at about 4pm yesterday, Luis Sim, a 43-year-old deportee who was released into the care of family members in Phnom Penh, said he had not been to Cambodia since he was 12.
Though he said he was “very happy to come back”, he also expressed some trepidation. “I don’t know how they live over here,” he said.
The new arrivals bring to 234 the number of Cambodians who have been deported from the US as the result of an agreement signed by the two countries in 2002. Only three of those are women.
All the deportees are former legal permanent US residents who have served prison sentences or been given suspended sentences for aggravated felonies, a classification that was expanded in 1996 to include some crimes that were previously misdemeanours.
The five returnees, who arrived at Phnom Penh International Airport at 11:20am and were immediately transferred into the custody of the Interior Ministry’s Immigration Department, were among a group of nearly 50 Cambodians held in the US in advance of being deported.
Activists in two US cities have decried the latest round of deportations. Deported Diaspora, a Boston-based organisation, collected more than 2,000 signatures on a petition that was scheduled to be sent to the US government last week. The petition asked the government to prevent the deportations from proceeding.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Tuesday that about 80 people had attended a rally on Monday to call attention to the case of 35-year-old Hov Ly Kol, who was expected to be deported this week.
But the US embassy said yesterday that the deportations were necessary.
“Every sovereign nation recognises the need to receive their citizens back to their countries, and both the Kingdom of Cambodia and the United States share this commitment,” the embassy said in an emailed statement. The embassy also said it remained “committed to helping the returnees successfully to reintegrate into Cambodian society”.
Cambodian officials have been largely mum on the details of the operation, offering no information about the individual deportees and scant information on how they were being processed.
Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, predicted on Monday that a group of 10 returnees would arrive this week, but said yesterday that he could not confirm when the other five would arrive.
He acknowledged that it may be difficult for returnees to adjust to life in a new country, but said the Kingdom would “welcome them because they are still Cambodian citizens and they do not have American nationality”.
He referred further questions to the Immigration Department, which referred questions to National Police spokesman Kirt Chantharith, who could not be reached for comment.
A deportee who arrived in Cambodia six years ago and went to meet the new arrivals at the Immigration Department facility where they were held yesterday afternoon said “a lot” of returnees end up homeless and jobless. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he accused the US embassy of not doing enough to help deportees adapt to life in Cambodia, a country with which many of them are unfamiliar.
“Most of these guys are shocked, traumatised, separated from their families. Someone has to help these guys stabilise mentally,” he said, and called for the embassy to facilitate reintegration by providing education, job placement and clinical supervision.
As he left the Immigration Department at about 4pm yesterday, Luis Sim, a 43-year-old deportee who was released into the care of family members in Phnom Penh, said he had not been to Cambodia since he was 12.
Though he said he was “very happy to come back”, he also expressed some trepidation. “I don’t know how they live over here,” he said.
61 comments:
STOP THE IMMORAL POLICY OF DEPORTATION OF CAMBODIAN PERMANENT U.S GREEN CARD HOLDER.
those unlaw must be deported to the hunsen's hardwok camp. none deserve to stay in USA. american made good choice to reject those criminal, gang, violent. they are not only threat to american society but also to the cambodian community. u have opportunity to live in free country like usa but u have made your own choice to be deported from heaven to earth.
No comment,God Bless12:45&1:17
Less criminals for US but more for Cambodia! Should have sent them to Afghanistan instead.
the one who committed crime here
in US. you may need to prepair for
your turn. soon,it will come to you. many cambodian like me fell greatfull to have a chance to make
life better here. but some of you are
here to terorize your own family and american families,
I wish the INS. will take care the
trouble makers who still make more trouble in collegepark,Georgia soon
enough.
I used to hang out too but I never do any harms to my own people. I even protected them from another races that look down at my people. If we don't have our gangster to protected our blood and community,another races and gangster they fucking beat you up and they're said some bad stuff to you etc..... In the U.S. you thinks Khmer people were bad you don't know, in here alots of nationality, they were realy worsen then Khmer.
200am! I heard you mother do for the spare part when your father bussy Savkry ( eat outside)
2:27AM! thank but no thank stop robing your ow people too! and killing!
behave civilize boy go for law!
2:27AM! good get a free ticket go home protec your people overthere they need you most!
I thought they were tough dudes, how can they be traumatize by being in their rightful place? They should see it as an adventure to a new beginning.
I'm jealous of these dudes, I wish I get a free time to Cambodia. Ive been here 35 years and I feel the stir to move back. I'm not sure which gov' is to be better under, US or Hun Sen, via Vietnam. I'm expecting the US to go down soon because of her many sins.
Making owne team inti Hun Sen.
I'd like to go to my country to kicks all ah Youn, VietCong back to where these belong. We Cambodian people don't like those AIDS VIRUS SKUNK Diepers people in our country.
2:37
Go slap your mother across the face and then call 911.
This should get you a free ticket to your "land of the free," in no time.
What, can't find a better way to spend your fruitless freedom in the US?
Becareful what you wish!
To 3:26 AM
The problem is, he is an American citizen.
No American citizen has been deported ..only permanent residents have been deported. The agreement between the US and Cambodia is to deport Khmer who are not american citizen and committed crimes in the US .
The Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime government is responsible for deportees being ship back to Cambodia.
Not all 234 deportees are bad.
I really want to know why the three Cambodian women get deported.
The problem is , if they are going to be deported , why did the US put them in jail for years ? It's not fair . If they have served the time for the crimes that they committed, they could have been free.
It possible that 30 years in USA and he doesn't have American citizenship ????
2:27 AM,
STOP immediately!
You're wrong,
NO Khmer-American needs your protection,
you risk to be deported and that's all.
What 's?
It possible that 30 years in USA and he doesn't have American citizenship ????
4:00 AM
This People NEVER applied for Citizenship. Thats why they can be deported.
The Girls became arrested as of dealing with Crack/Drugs.
It is not wise, not to apply for Citizenship but this People never imagined it could happen to them to become deported.
In my Opinion Khmer People who live in USA would have a better life in Cambodia.
With good English it is much more easy for them to get a job in Cambodia.
I know Khmer People in USA and sorry to say but they work 12 hours a day, no holiday and they do this for years just to get a Green Card.
They are rich people, have a few houses in Phnom Penh but they never learned how to enjoy life.
For the Deportees its hard as people do not help them. Why Khmer People do not help them?
Why Vietnamese help their People but Khmer NOT?????
Ask yourself!!!
I'm gladly to see these criminal gangsters deported back to their motherland..what is the purppose to join the gangster anyway?,,they are look so tough when they're in their group..now they are all alone, they're turning out to be a SISSY..HAHAHA..Now i wanna see their gang bang partners send them some supported like money wise...ect.One cirminal got deported one less problem solved..
4:56AM Cause our GOVT is stupid that why. Ah Youn they're way smarter then us, and plus they're helping each other alots, it different from Khmer people they're so jealousy, and all the business people they dislike Khmer gang. Ah Youn and ah Chinese they're supported their gangster to protection these community and business but ah Khmer people don't.
I'm serious about relocating back to Cambodia. All my family are back home. I'm just a loner here in the neck of the woods in Wisconsin.
I have a business in mind that I think I can engage in to sustain myself if I go back. I need to know if distill water can be found in Battambong city or in Phnom Penh. Anyone got an answer for me?
Would the Vietnam government acknowledge me as a citizen of Cambodia if I repatriate?
One fear I have is that I'm afraid of 100 degrees heat with high humidity. Because I already got heat stroke twice already in northern Wisconsin.
I'm looking for simplicity in life swinging in a hammock watching the monks strolling by collect their portion for the day.
Yeah, having food and roof over my head I would be content. Since I'm not married I might get me a nice pet lamb (as in wife) to help me feel at home.
Too 5:57AM so you from the cheese head state do you guy name SOKHA I think he live in Maddision WIS, too. I have alots of friends live there but I lost contact with them.
They can become as soldier to protect our motherland against siam agressor at Preah Vihear.
I think America or the US embassy in Phnom Penh should do sth to encourage those deportees. If they get angry and turn to join terrorists. So the US will have enemies in Cambodia. Sincerely, Phnom Penh Resident
Hun Sen's nephews and the sons of some of those CPP politicians and military generals are 10 times worst in the types of crimes they commit when compared to these deportees.
Good that the US deported them criminals. This will saves our tax money rather keep them in jail here.
These motherfucker waist lots of our tax money and caused complication in the society. I don't support them idiot!
My wife work and pay taxes for over 30 years and speak some English but couldn't write. She apply for her citizenship and fail. But most of the wealfare recipient and the crooked collect SSI that able to work didn't speak English got their citizenship. When I go with her to Cherry Hill all I see is Jew, Parkistan and Indian speak broken English and passed their citizenship at first shot. What do you thing??
Anybody have any comment for me??
By the way she paid them INS $400.
We have limited income from our pay check, so she decide not to appeal. Now still hold her Green Card. And those SSI with citizenship go Cambodia every year enjoying our taxes money.
WTF
Khmer Poit Paet live in US.
What? KI are selectively censoring comments now? I wrote about these guys should make secret security societies to investigate political assassinations and who carry them out to take revenge for the Khmer people and KI took it out!
Don't worry KI, you're not fomenting a revolution or rebellion against a government and neither is it illegal for me to express my opinions on private security and secret society groups! Look at America's black water forces, they started off as private security forces and still are!
How many group in this world are mercenaries of war for profit? Too many to count. Hmm, I guess the downside would be these guys get caught like Cambodian Freedom Fighter Chun Yasidt.
But look on the bright side, they can't be sent back to face charges in U.S and they're making atonement and saving Cambodian poor trouble anyway!
How about it tough guys? Won't you be our Cambodian modern day Robin Hoods?
3:40am,
(2:37) is not an American! He said, he's been here for 35 years and wants to go back.
I think this guy is a drop-out who sit around and wait for welfare check. ROTFLMAO!
Do google search and you'll find the US deport more Mexican than any other ethnic group. Cambodians make up just a small percentage of people the US deport every year.
Every US president come into office wants to show that he is tough on criminal immigrants. This please the voters/taxpayers including myself a voting Cambodian American.
It is not that hard to pass the test to become a naturalized citizen if you prepare. An 80 year old Cambodian lady, a member of my church, passed it with two tries.
These guys who are deported just plain ignorant of the law. It is possible to live in the US for 30+ years and remain ignorant. Don't be surprise. Some people are so shielded within their community that they know very little what is outside.
9:20AM,
First off, Jews almost never beg for money. I think you are mistaken in your judgment of people's appearance.
Indians and Pakistani may sound like they have broken English, buth their command of English is pretty standard, perhaps better than you.
By the way, among Asian Americans the Indians have the highest annaul income, so much more than the white Americans. That should tell you something about their intelligence.
As for passing the test, you can obtain the questions in advance from the INS office and study them. Those questions are just basic American history. If you attend high school it would be just a review. My parent, along with many older Cambodian people had passed it having no high school or college degree. So I know it is not that difficult to pass if you study in advance.
Good luck.
Khmer Texan
Some people can not speak or pronounce the word correctly. But they have great reading and writing skill background.
The reason why those returnees do not have citizenship yet is because they have commited crimes. the citizenship form asked that question.
I'm a cheese head but I'm 6 hours up north from Madison, Wisconsin. I don't know a soul of Cambodian in Madison. I'm closer to Twin Cities.
I'm not on welfare as some of you may assume that I am. I work hard by the aching of my back in the elements of heat and cold weather. I pay SS and I'm assuming that I will never get a penny back.
I became naturalize in 1988. And since traveled to Hong Kong and into inland China.
I understand that the God of Israel will judge the world by his Son, Jesus Christ. This world will experience a terrible shaking and this earth will reel to and fro like a drunken person.
Hey Khmer Israel,
Just curious what are you doing in Panda country?
Hey Khmer Israel,
Just curious what are you doing in Panda country?
11:11,
that's why you're miserable, because you lack contact of your people. Peel of the blanket and head to some place warm. Maybe Khmer Texan can help you with relocating.
This might be a shock to you, but everyone who work have to pay tax for Social Security....not just you.
You've mentioned you were naturalized in 88' and been to places other then Cambodia; only lead me to believe that you want nothing to do with your native culture.
Are you anti-Cambodian?
Khmer Poi paet,
some state offer a translator that can help her with her Immigration exam. Your other option is to request for a cassette tape that explain the history of the US which were translated into Khmer. I hope this help.
To the rest of the Khmer out there,
get naturalize as soon as possible. You just never know what Immigration law will do next. The current rate for naturalization is $695 and looking to go up soon. Don't put a price tax on your freedom. If you can't afford it, look for a Cambodian Community Center who may have a program that offer to pay your fee. Check out a non-profit organization group in your area that offer this type of free service to low-income family.
Last, if you have a valid question like Khmer Poi Paet, just posted here. I'm sure some Cambodian out there have the answer. Let's help each other out!
Best regard,
Akhmerican
khmerican,
one question in the form asked if i have ever been arrested. what should i answer if i am a gang banger.
america just don't deport good citizens, unless they do something illegal, etc! and cambodians aren't the only people they deported, they deported all kind of national origin if they committed criminal acts, etc..., you know!
1:50Am you are wrong i do not see they deported viet cong and chinese people back to their country.
1:28,
you should list all of the crime(s) you've been convict of or pending. They will unvieled all of your background during their investigation. You don't want them to strip you of your citizenship when they find out later on that you've failed to mention your past history. The only stupid thing is....not mentioning your past history. Leave the gang-banger part out. You're not applying for a police or government job.
FYI, there is a certain felony and criteria that you have to met in order to qualify as a US citizen. If you want more
detail...Google "what is a deportable offense."
Good luck to you!
Best regard,
Akhmerican
If I been to jail like over fives time for fighting do I still qualified for the citizenship,if I apply for?
3:44,
what did they charge you with?
Is it a felony or a misdemeanor crime?
Akhmerican
Ah Pler Khmer Texan.
I talk about my wife not myself. I didn't mean the Jew collecting welfare. I said all I see is Jew, Parkistan and Indian. I know they have money. You didn't really read my comment. If I would want to get my citizenship is just like a walk in the park. You're as dumb as George W. Bush.
What and idiot.
Khmer Poit Paet live in US.
For Akhmerican too
See you dumb ass pure Cambo negro did read my comment. I mention about my Khmiger Cambo wife and you give me advise. What all respect to good khmer people. yes they have Khmer Association but there never will a free offer like you said. What are you talking about taking interpreter to the INS interview. If you don't speak English how the fuck they let you become American Citizen. Plus my hard head wife is as dumb as you and Ah Pler Khmer Texan. Instead of reading the whole story, just skip and jump to conclusion. And about out of touch of Khmer People. I agree with you, I'm lack of contact with my Khmiger, You know why? I fear of my own people than the other races in this whole. Killing each other with no mercy. Duch only get 17 years in prison. The master mind Sihanouk your King Ta is free in Beijing. Ah temple kids with one eye leading the country giving away Khmer Land to ah Youn. Now ah communist Hor 5 Hong come to open consulate around the Del Val Commmunity. See people like you are lack of judgment. I tell you the truth. I'm proud of who I am. I love all god creature. Khmer Citizenship, Chinese Citizhenship or American citizenship for me mean nothing. I leave it open so when I commit serious crime I will get a free visa. For $400 application fee. I save it for my kids school supplies.
Khmer Poi Paet live in US.
With 234 people, you can form a army division to protect your ancestor country against all invading forces.
Good Luck to all of you brave hart people.
What did I do in Panda country?
I was looking for lost king Sihaunouk.:) Actually I was with a group of bible couriers for the underground churches. I remember .25 cents bought me a good meal back then. I remember at one exit point out of China, a lady officer was suspicious of my identity and wouldn't let me through easily. Either she liked me or I liked her until someone from the group behind me made some comment than she stamped my passport.
Awhile in Hong Kong I visited N&S Vietnamese detention center twice. Made one friend with a Vietnamese. Later it was reported by him to me that there was a clash between north and south people at the camp. Buildings were lit and some were killed. This was early 1992 when I was in Hong Kong.
Awhile in Hong Kong I had checked into a flight into Cambodia but I have noway of knowing what's been happening in Cambodia. I had not made any contact with family back then. Nevertheless I had the spirit of Asia in me of just wanting to go back to Asia once I got my passport, though I never made to Cambodia. I have a friend who was in Cambodia to visit his friend a year or two earlier. He got sick had to find help in Bangkok, I don't think he got to spent much time visiting Cambodia.
6:30AM,
Good to know a fellow Cambodian is busy about the Father's business.
I can't say much on this blog, but you and I have much in common.
Thanks for responding, and keep up the good work.
I see all you guys who have no compassion were born or conceived during the Pol Pot era. These deportees are refused the basic human right that only the cowboys could apply without fear to be prosecuted by the ICCJ .
To 4:31AM I realy don't know what they are charging me with but I've do sometimes and some community services. One cases I built out for $2000 bucks I took off but it been like over 15 years already. That why I'm so fair to apply for the U.S. citizen.
correction so scare.
10:54,
you bail out and didn't appear for your court hearing? there is a warrant out for your arrest for "Failure to Appear."
I suggest you take care of that first and then go from there.
Akhmerican
10:54am, some avenues for help may be already mentioned. but if were you i would reach out to not-for-profit community org. in your town, city, or state for help. preferrably an asian one because they tend to understand the plight of the asian population better than other org's. however be wary of swiddlers and incompetents out there.
good luck!
by the way, public library is a good source of information for this kind of situation. when ask people for info always third person noun to remain anonymous.
Khmer Poi Paet,
there is an interpreter made available for elderly who don't understand the questions ask by the examiner.
You are losing touch with reality. That's what happen when you get coop up in a blanket too long.
As far as your vulgar language, is it necessary? I can truly say that your up to date with that.
Akhmerican
so, if u commited crime u do time in cambodia? and forget about being an american?
8:43,
you were never an American to begin with. Therefore, once deported, you're banned for life.
Upon arrival and the exchange of custody is completed, I believe the Cambodian gov't will temporary continued to incarcerate you until they feel that it is necessary to release you. But, if you have a family back home, they will release you to them.
The Filipino's on the other hand have a different statute of limitations. Depending on the nature of their crimes, some are allowed to re-apply for re-entry after a certain year. Go figure!
Akhmerican
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