*UPDATE* - Sophane was released from I.C.E. custody last year. During his release he maintained a good job to help care for his family and young nephew.  A couple days ago, during his regular monthly check in, he was detained again by I.C.E.

He is currently held prisoner at the Correction Corportation of America Detention Center in Otay Mesa California.

I.C.E. has not released any information to him or his family, as to when or if he will be deported.

The Meak Family wants to re-open this petition to support Sophane and to spread awareness of unjust immigration policies that continue to break families apart.

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This petition calls for the release of Sophane Meak from an indefinite detention.  He is currently detained at Theo Lacy Detention Center in Orange County, California. He was detained by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) AFTER serving time for a past crime.  When I.C.E. attempted  to deport him, the Cambodian Consulate stated that they refuse to accept his deportation and will not issue him travel documents for removal.  Sophane has written several letters to I.C.E. requesting a case review, but he has yet to receive any kind of clear response as to why he is still being detained. Sophane has already served his debt to society for past crimes, and deserves to be reunited his family.  Double punishment is wrong, indefinite detention is inhumane, and the community is demanding his release. 

This petition also aims to raise awareness of the climate of fear and paranoia that Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) has created in Cambodian-American communities and other communities of color across the United States. 

Since the passage of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA) and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA), both in 1996, detention and deportations have increased exponentially.  These laws replaced a discretionary system with mandatory detention and deportation, and expanded the grounds of Deportation to include minor offenses.  The 1996 laws are also retroactive. Most Cambodian-American Refugee detainees have already served time for past crimes. However under current immigration law they are considered "Criminal Aliens," and many are "deportable". This is abitrary and unjust.  This past summer Around 200 Cambodian-American Refugees across the nation have been detained by I.C.E. during Home and Road raids and searches. Double punishment is wrong!

Most Cambodian-American Deportees were raised in America after legally migrating with their families at a very young age. Most are very unfamiliar with the language and customs of Cambodia, and many have no remaining family there. America is the only country they know. Deporting these individuals to an foreign unfamiliar country is inhumane.

Join us! Take action and make a difference!  We are not Criminal Aliens! Join the Family Unity Campaign!

*Please ask your family, friends, and co-workers to sign this petition! Join us and lets make our voices heard! There is great power in numbers... Get as many signatures as you can!!!! 

*If you have FaceBook, dont forget to click the SHARE button after you have signed!

*The Re-Integration Support Center of Cambodia (RISC) is a program for and by Returnees to help individuals who have been deported re-integrate into Cambodian culture and society by providing essential services like job placement, educational opportunities, housing, and emergency medical services.  RISC needs our support in order to remain open.  You can learn more about RISC and how to donate at www.risccambodia.org.

 For more information regarding RISC & SouthEast Asian deportations, please visit www.deporteddiaspora.org or contact us at deporteddiaspora@gmail.com