Cal Defense
is a community-driven initiative established to protect Southeast Asian (SEA) and other refugee and immigrant families from detention and deportation.
We build the community power needed to keep families together through education, organizing, and advocacy.
We are grounded in care, dignity, trust-building with impacted communities and the belief that our communities deserve safety, healing, and belong here at home in California.
The Challenge
Thousands of Southeast Asian refugees in California are at risk of ICE detention and deportation due to often decades-old past convictions. Many came to the US as child refugees fleeing war and genocide in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. They grew up in low-income communities, they are also often survivors of violence, poor health, and poverty and are now at risk of permanent separation from their families.
What We Do
Develop and advance pardon campaigns
We support directly impacted individuals and families seeking deportation relief through advocating for gubernatorial pardons. This includes developing the pardon campaign toolkit, gathering support, and preparing directly impacted individuals and their families to share their stories, meet with community and elected officials.
Navigate other post-conviction relief
We walk alongside directly impacted individuals and their families, supporting them to understand their options, and connect them to public defender offices, district attorneys, and other trusted attorneys. Government can play an important supportive role but families need to know how to access it.
Build Community Power
We organize directly impacted individuals and families to advocate for themselves, tell their stories, and engage with the larger community and decision-makers to create long-term solutions. We build fellowship and spaces for individual and collective healing and support.
Build Collective Power
Ending deportation will require major shifts on immigration policy and the criminal justice system. We are building regional networks and actively engaged with statewide coalitions including the Clemency Coalition and Pardon Refugees Coalition to strategize and impact change at the state and local level.
Get Support
If you or a loved one is facing deportation or navigating post-conviction relief, you are not alone in this. We will walk alongside you and connect you to support. We will provide a form link soon - thank you for your patience.