MN8

In August 2016, eight Cambodian Americans from Minnesota—collectively known as the MN8—were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including the youngest brother of our Executive Director/Co-Founder, Montha. The MN8 were going to be deported to Cambodia, where most of them wouldn’t know how to read or write in the language, let alone were even born. The majority were actually born in refugee camps outside of Cambodia. Yet they were sent to meet with the Cambodian Consulate and forced to sign travel documents in a language that they didn’t comprehend.

Their families—primarily women, elders, & children—rallied around them and fought back by organizing their community. This started the #ReleaseMN8 grassroots campaign, a uniquely intergenerational movement led by family members who had never organized before. They mobilized the support of community members, attorneys, other orgs, & members of Congress—rallying outside of Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office, at local community centers, and even in D.C. to speak with the Cambodian ambassador. At these events were babies, Khmer elders who have since passed away, community advocates, the news, and more. Alongside their organizing and fighting, the MN8’s loved ones drove for hours to pay to visit their loved ones for just 30 minutes via video call.

The enormous efforts of the MN8, their loved ones, and community supporters sparked national attention and led to the eventual release of 3 of the 8 men. Our story begins with these eight remarkable individuals and their loved ones.