Who We Are
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
Get Involved
Join our efforts. Partner with us. Connect us to your network. Keep families together.