Saem Pok - Cambodian Deportee

Almost 50 Cambodian American Refugees, many who are due to be deported to a country they barely knew as a child, and are expected to leave behind their community and families as soon as August 31st.

Many of these Cambodian Nationals arrived to the United States before the age of 12 as Refugees, escaping from the Khmer Rouge Genocide in Cambodia. Most have grown up and have lived in the United States for more than 20 years. Among those who have already been deported or await deportation, many were born in refugee camps and have never set foot in Cambodia. They barely remember their journeys to America. America will lose much by deporting them; all are assets to their communities as fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, and community leaders, all of whom reside in the US. Their ability to survive in Cambodia is uncertain; due to the Khmer Rouge Genocide, they have little or no surviving family connections to Cambodia, and they barely speak its language or understand the culture.

Most of the 50 Cambodian Nationals to be deported are the main income earners of their families and have US citizen children and spouses. Many also are respected leaders in our communities. If they are deported, what will happen to their families and communities?

They have already paid their debt to society and deporting them now will send their family into poverty. All these people know as far as nationalism is America, and we are letting them, their families, and communities down by allowing this to go on.
Please do not deport our family and community members without giving them their civil and human right to due process. We ask for justice for these individuals, their families and their communities.

HERE IS THE STORY OF SAEM POK -

RE: Saem Pok
Alien # A25139376
DOB 2/22/75
Current Status - Being Detained at Tacoma, WA INS Detention Center

Saem Pok is a Citizen and National of Kampuchea, he fled his during The Khmer Rouge Genocide. He entered the United States at age 6 in February 25, 1981. On or about October 21, 1982 he became a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

In 1993 at the age of 18 Saem was arrested for Theft and convicted of First Degree Robbery on May 17, 1994. He made a very poor decision as a youth and is now paying the price as an adult due to the changes in immigration policy. He accepted a plea bargain, which affected his deportation status unwilling knowing this would affect and change his residence status in the US.

Saem was sentenced to 13 months and 36 months post-prison supervision. Saem has paid his debt to society.

Since his conviction he is now a productive member of society and has no other criminal violations with the law. He is a working, family man with 2 minor children (listed below) with his fiance Rina Som. He has been employed with Food Services of America since 1998. Rina is permanently disabled/blind so Saem is the sole provider and head of household.
• Kaine Pok DOB 8/30/97
• Sabreena Pok DOB 6/24/06

HIS CONVICTION WAS PRIOR TO THE 1996 immigration policy change. The government made this policy retroactive, which is completely unfair. In October 1997 he was detained again by INS for 1 year, but was released in 1998 on a $5,000 bond, which insured he would continue to be in contact with INS. If defaulted, the bond would be revoked and premium loss.

Since 1998 - Saem has abided by all INS Regulations and stipulations including, but not limited to weekly phone calls, monthly and quarterly visits with INS. He also received and renewed his employment authorizations every two years.

In 2002 Saem was required to wear a monitoring bracelet for a period of one year.

In 2003 Saem continued his quarterly INS meetings that were verbally scheduled.

In 2009 Saem proceeded with weekly check in's with INS by phone. He also received notification by mail of his quarterly offices visits.

Saem received a certified letter on 09/02/10 that he was scheduled for an office visit on 09/09/10, where he was detained and taken into custody and transported Tacoma, WA INS Detention Center.

Saem is of significant importance to his family and with his current status has put financial and severe hardship on them outlined below: This has also resulted in his family requesting State and Governmental Assistance that was never required in the past.
• He cares, supports and provides for his disabled and legally blind fiance
• He cares, supports and provides for his 2 young minor children
• He cares, supports and provides for his elderly parent which includes an ailing mother, since the death of his father in 2005
• He is an active member of the Buddhist Society and has repented for his previous actions.
• He is the head of household and main source of income
All correspondence with the INS included and consisted of confirming his residence status, phone # and place of employment.

Rina Som
11212 SE Brookside Dr. Portland, OR 97260
Cell (503) 764-9650
samnrina@comcast.net