The Cambodian community in Philadelphia, and around the country, has experienced a dramatic increase in the detention and deportation of community members on the basis of prior criminal convictions. The Obama Administration officially announced a new policy prescription in August 2011 that targets and prioritizes "criminal aliens," or anyone with criminal histories, for removal from the United States. These policies neglect to consider the severe flaws in the immigration system, including the presence of retroactive punishment, denial of individualized review, the broad range of crimes deemed deportable, and the value of rehabilitation. The experience of Cambodian families who have been broken apart by deportation has led the community to stand up to keep their families together. Locally, a grassroots organization, One Love Movement, was formed to create more awareness of the deeper story behind what the government labels "criminal deportations". This expert panel will provide multi-faceted insight into the issue of deportation in the Cambodian community, including issues of foreign relations, behavioral health, education, the links between the criminal justice and immigration systems, and the current political landscape around immigration policy. Opening remarks will be delivered by Councilman James F. Kenney. Closing remarks will be delivered by Joe Hanzsum of the One Love Movement.
Panelists Include:
- Ben Kiernan, Professor of History and of International and Area Studies, Yale University
- Rorng Sorn, Executive Director, Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia
- Helen Gym, Board Member, Asian American United
- Edward McCann, First Assistant District Attorney of Philadelphia
- Judge Steven Morley, Federal Immigration Judge, Philadelphia Immigration Court
- Helly Lee, Director of Policy, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center

Registration:
To register for the One Love Panel only, please do so here. The registration fee is $15. Please see the New Directions Conference schedule here and consider registering for an entire day of amazing speakers and panelists from all over the country. Registration fee varies for students, attorneys or groups, see more info here.