Houston Nonprofit Pushes Back Against Deportations of Southeast Asian Refugees

A Houston-based nonprofit, Woori Juntos, has joined faith groups and community organizations in pushing back against deportations targeting Vietnamese and Laotian refugees. Many of the individuals at risk of removal came to the United States decades ago, often as children, and have since built families, careers, and strong community ties in Texas and beyond.

Decades After Arrival, Deportation Threats Persist

The current wave of deportations stems from long-standing agreements between the United States and Southeast Asian countries. Some refugees face removal based on old criminal convictions, while others are caught in enforcement actions despite living in the U.S. for most of their lives.

Advocates in Houston stress that deporting these individuals is not just a legal decision but a community issue. Many have lived in America for 30 to 40 years, own businesses, volunteer in churches, and raise U.S.-citizen children. Their removal can fracture families and destabilize entire neighborhoods.

Community Response

In response, Woori Juntos has worked alongside local churches, immigrant rights coalitions, and advocacy groups to draw attention to the issue. The organization has organized community meetings, partnered with legal service providers, and encouraged Southeast Asian immigrants to understand their rights.

Faith leaders have also joined the conversation, framing the deportations as a moral concern. Local congregations have hosted forums where families share stories of fear, resilience, and the uncertainty of living under the threat of deportation.

Legal Avenues Remain Complicated

For affected refugees, the legal landscape is complex. U.S. immigration law allows certain protections, but these are often difficult to access without professional guidance. Some of the main options include:

• Stay of Removal: A formal request that temporarily halts deportation while a case is being reviewed. This can provide critical time for families and attorneys to prepare stronger legal arguments or pursue other relief.

• Motions to Reopen or Reconsider: Individuals with old removal orders may sometimes ask the immigration court to reopen their case, especially if there are new facts, changes in law, or errors in the original proceedings.

• Prosecutorial Discretion: Immigration authorities may decide not to prioritize removal in cases where individuals have deep community ties, long-term residency, and no recent criminal history.

• Humanitarian Relief: Programs such as asylum, protection under the Convention Against Torture, or visas for victims of crime (U visas) and trafficking (T visas) may apply, though eligibility is narrow.

• Deferred Action: A discretionary decision that provides temporary protection from deportation. While it does not grant permanent status, it can keep families together in the short term.

Because each case is highly fact-specific, attorneys and legal clinics in Houston continue to screen individuals to see which options may apply and to file urgent requests when deportation is imminent.

Broader National Context

The situation in Houston mirrors challenges seen across the country. Vietnamese and Laotian refugees who resettled in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s often believed they had found permanent refuge. However, many never secured U.S. citizenship, leaving them vulnerable to immigration enforcement decades later.

While bilateral agreements between the U.S. and Southeast Asian countries limit the number of deportations that can occur each year, advocates argue that even a single removal can disrupt family unity and erode trust between immigrant communities and public institutions.

Looking Ahead

The pushback from groups like Woori Juntos underscores a broader debate: how should the United States handle individuals who arrived as refugees decades ago but never became naturalized citizens?

For now, community members in Houston continue to call for compassion, while legal teams work case by case to protect families from separation.

Conclusion

For refugees facing deportation, the stakes are immediate and life-altering. Legal interventions such as stays of removal and motions to reopen must often be filed quickly, and the window for action can be very short. While advocacy groups raise awareness, it is immigration attorneys who can prepare filings, argue motions, and navigate the complex legal system effectively.

If you or a loved one is impacted by these issues, do not wait. Seeking help from an experienced immigration attorney is the most important step you can take to protect your rights and keep families together. To discuss your options in detail, you can schedule a consultation with Tran Flores Law by calling (512) 894-9984.