Dear Community,
As we approach the end of the winter season, our team would like to thank everyone who participated in the Giving Day Fundraiser on February 25th, whether you donated to or shared our fundraiser. These donations provide important support to our ongoing work, including the continuation of our youth programs and political tours of Little Saigon, and will increase the number of workshops we provide for our immigrant and refugee communities to empower themselves with resources.
We also want to acknowledge the remarks made by Trump last night during the joint session with Congress. During the speech, Trump highlighted the Laken-Riley Act, a dangerous law just recently passed that expands ICE’s power to detain immigrants merely accused– not convicted– of certain offenses. This means our community members could be jailed without proof of wrongdoing, tearing families apart and fueling the mass detention of immigrants. We need to be vigilant during this time and continue to take steps to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our neighbors.
VietRISE also expresses our unwavering solidarity with Mexican and Central American immigrant communities who were the target of disgusting rhetoric and disrespect by Trump during his remarks last night. Mexican and Central American immigrants are our neighbors and fellow residents here in Little Saigon, and we will continue to organize together for our human and civil rights.
For Vietnamese community members interested in receiving immigration support and services through our Community Resource Hub, please contact us at general@vietrise.org.
Resources
Laken Riley Act Infographic
The Laken Riley Act expands mandatory detention for people who are merely accused—not convicted—of theft-related offenses. This empowers ICE to detain immigrant community members who are charged or arrested for a theft offense, even if the government has not proved they committed the alleged crimes.
Read more about the Laken Riley Act and how an overwhelming majority of OC elected officials voted YES, endangering our immigrant communities in Little Saigon.
Campaign & Program News
Info Session on Post-Conviction and Immigration Relief with Attorney and Board Member Jacqueline Dan
Last month, we held an info session on how Vietnamese immigrants can seek post-conviction and immigration relief. This presentation was conducted by Jacqueline Dan, attorney and VietRISE Board member.
We will continue to host more of these workshops to ensure immigrant community members get the support and information they need during this time.
Please reply to this email or email us at general@vietrise.org you would like to be alerted of future workshops.
Orange Coast College Lunar New Year Tabling
Thank you Orange Coast College for inviting us to table at your Lunar New Year Celebration! We welcomed the new year while sharing our resources and work with local college students. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn more about VietRISE, and we look forward to organizing alongside you in future campaigns and programs!
Lunar New Year March: Fight Displacement From Chinatown to Palestine
To ring in the year of the Snake, VietRISE joined Asian Youth Collective (AYC) and several other grassroots Asian American community organizations to stand against the forces of displacement and colonialism—both here at home and abroad. Our resistance is our tradition. We continue to build solidarity, connecting our organizing with this coalition of Asian youth fighting for our communities.
Together We Belong Giving Day
On February 25, in honor of World Day of Social Justice, VietRISE joined 12 other organizations to raise funds for advancing critical work that uplifts, empowers, and celebrates Orange County’s diverse communities. Thanks to support from across our community, we raised $7,590 with the support of 72 donors and $3,450 in matching donations from our generous Advisory Board. This was our most successful online fundraising event yet! Thank you to everyone who took part in this Giving Day with us, including Orange County Community Foundation for hosting.
Save the Date for May Day!
VietRISE is a member of the Orange County May Day coalition and we’re gearing up for May Day in Santa Ana. Save the date for activities to come on May 1st!
Features
Orange County Magazine - Person of Interest: Engage and Empower
🌟 Tracy, our Executive Director, was featured in the Orange Coast Magazine as a Person of Interest in their February publication!
“It’s really important to know nothing can change if you’re doing it alone. Immediate support can help our community, but what we truly need is long-term systemic change. In order to do that, it’s not just an organization that should have power. It’s neighborhoods, associations. It’s groups led by residents themselves. That is what’s going to create long-term change.”
Read more here about VietRISE’s mission and the organizing we hope to continue in 2025 and beyond.
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