By Akemi Tamanaha
AsAmNews Intern
A Cambodian refugee enjoyed his first weekend at home with his family after returning to the United States on Friday following the reversal of his deportation conviction. Phorn Tem and his lawyer spoke with AsAmNews about his deportation and the successful reversal of his conviction.
In 2011, the now 33-year-old was detained by ICE and an immigration judge ordered that he be deported to Cambodia. According to Tem’s lawyer, Melanie Kim of Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus, Cambodia was reluctant to repatriate large groups of individuals with deportation orders at the time of Tem’s conviction. Their attitude changed in 2017 when Tem was arrested again.
“In 2017, to pressure Cambodia to accept more people for deportation, the U.S. placed visa sanctions on Cambodia,” Kim told AsAmNews in an email. “This proved effective because, since late 2017, Cambodia has accepted an unprecedented number of people for repatriation. ICE arrested 100-200 Cambodian refugees nationwide in October 2017 for deportation– the largest ICE raids against this community in US history.”
Tem was one of the hundreds of Cambodian refugees to be arrested in October 2017. He was deported on April 30, 2018. He is believed to be the first person to return from deportation to Cambodia.
In order to secure his return, Kim filed a motion to reopen and terminate his deportation order.
“I filed a motion to reopen and terminate his deportation order arguing that because the underlying conviction was vacated, the deportation order is invalid,” Kim said. “The immigration judge agreed.”
When news of the reversal reached Tem, it took his breath away.
“Well, once the U.S embassy counselor in Phnom Penh told me I was in the clear by DHS and arranged for my departure back to the U.S. my whole body shook and I was holding back my tears,” Tem told AsAmNews. “Then I feel like passing out, couldn’t breathe. Took a deep breath and finally felt relief and kept on saying thanks to one of the counselors.”
Tem says it feels great to be back at home in the nice weather in Sacramento, CA. He enjoys being able to take warm showers and sleep in a soft bed.
“I just enjoy every little thing that I took for granted, especially spending time with all my family here,” Tem said.
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff or submitting a story.
One happy family at a time. Great job to his lawyer..God blessed