Luke Duggleby

CAMBODIA: Returned to Sender

US-Cambodian Deportees sent back to Cambodia.

After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees; many young American Cambodians are now being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again.

A new policy in 2002 meant that any

US-Cambodian who still had not applied for US citizenship and had been convicted of a felonywould be deported back to Cambodia after living in the US all their life. Over 1,400 convicted felons are proposed to be sent back in the next few years and naturally the

re-adjustment to a life they don't know or understand is a difficult one.

Published in the Independent Review on Sunday, UK

Chhin Toeun, 24, or Hawaii to his friends, crouches down next to a wall. The word 'dead' graffitied on the wall represents the way most deportees feel with this new life sentence.
  
Outside his house in a suburb of Phnom Penh Bunreas Pin, 24, or Boomer to his friends; reflects on his new home. Despite both his mother and father being Khmer, his US gang tatoos immediately mark him out as an outsider to other Cambodians. Boomer is one of several hundreds young US Cambodian's who have been permanently deported back to the country they fled over twenty years ago, never to return to the US again. Boomer is a fighter and is attempting to return to the US in the form of music. Growing up in Stockton, California, a city renowned for its hip hop scene, he spent a lot of his time surrounded by music and joined a recording studio before he was arrested. He now writes lyrics about his situation, about life as a deportee stuck in Cambodia and what the future holds.
  
Chhin Toeun, 24, or Hawaii to his friends, gets ready to climb onto his motorbike in central Phnom Penh. After spending more than 7 years in prison he was deported back to Cambodia. Previously a gang member in the US, he remains dressed like an American covered in tatoos and is seen as a foreigner to local Khmers even though he was born in Cambodia. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees, many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again.
     
  
Eric Hem sits and watches life go by. A new arrival, he has had a very hard time adjusting to life in Cambodia. With no history of mental health, he regularly sees psychiatrists and psychologists who help him try to adapt to his new life. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees, many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again. A new policy in 2002 meant that any US-Cambodian who still had not applied for US citizenship and had been convicted of a felony would be deported back to Cambodia after living in the US all their life. Over 1400 convicted felons are proposed to be sent back in the next few years and naturally the re-adjustment to a life they don't know or understand is a difficult one.
   
Phnom Penh Bunreas Pin, 24, AKA Boomer raps in a rented studio.Despite both his mother and father being Khmer, his US gang tatoos immediately mark him out as an outsider to other Cambodians. Boomer is one of several hundreds young US Cambodian's who have been permanently deported back to the country they fled over twenty years ago, never to return to the US again. Boomer is a fighter and is attempting to return to the US in the form of music. Growing up in Stockton, California, a city renowned for its hip hop scene, he spent a lot of his time surrounded by music and joined a recording studio before he was arrested. He now writes lyrics about his situation, about life as a deportee stuck in Cambodia and what the future holds.
  
Celebrating the birthday of a deportee's one-year old child, all the guys get together at his house. Drinking beer, smoking weed and dancing to hip hop, they party the way they did back in the States. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees, many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again.
     
  
Chhin Toeun (left), 24, or Hawaii to his friends; sits in a rickshaw next to his friend Charlie, 32, to travel a few blocks across central Phnom Penh. After spending more than 7 years in prison, he was deported back to Cambodia. Previously a gang member in the US, he remains dressed like an American covered in tatoos and is seen as a foreigner to local Khmers even though he was born in Cambodia. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees; many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again. A new policy in 2002 meant that any US-Cambodian who still had not applied for US citizenship and had been convicted of a felony would be deported back to Cambodia after living in the US all their life. Over 1400 convicted felons are proposed to be sent back in the next few years and naturally the re-adjustment to a life they don't know or understand is a difficult one.
   
One of the deportees sleeps off an all day drinking session. Adapting to the new life is hard and many seek escapism in drugs and alcohol. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees, many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again.
  
Chhin Toeun, 24, (Hawaii) sits with a fellow deportee Eric at a noodle stall in central Phnom Penh. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees, many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again. A new policy in 2002 meant that any US-Cambodian who still had not applied for US citizenship and had been convicted of a felony would be deported back to Cambodia after living in the US all their life.
     
  
Chhin Toeun, 24, or Hawaii to his friends, walks around a central Phnom Penh market. After spending more than 7 years in prison; he was deported back to Cambodia. Previously a gang member in the US, he remains dressed like an American covered in tatoos and is seen as a foreigner to local Khmers even though he was born in Cambodia. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees, many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again.
  
Celebrating the birthday of a deportee's one-year old child, all the guys get together at his house. Drinking beer, smoking weed and dancing to hip hop, they party the way they did back in the States. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees, many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again.
   
Chhin Toeun, 24, or Hawaii to his friends, walks down a street. The word 'dead' graffitied on the wall represents the way most deportees feel with this new life sentence.
     
  
Chhin Toeun, 24, or Hawaii to his friends; rides around central Phnom Penh with his friend So Chamroeun, 32, or Charlie. Boredom is a big factor for these guys who spend a lot of time cruising the city on large dirt bikes. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees; many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again. A new policy in 2002 meant that any US-Cambodian who still had not applied for US citizenship and had been convicted of a felony would be deported back to Cambodia after living in the US all their life. Over 1400 convicted felons are proposed to be sent back in the next few years and naturally the re-adjustment to a life they don't know or understand is a difficult one.
  
So Chamroeun (Charlie), 32, sits outside Hawaii's apartment. Struggling with substance abuse, Hawaii gives him a hankerchief filled with ice. Many deportees struggle with adapting to life and turn to using drugs and alcohol as a way to escape. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees, many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again. A new policy in 2002 meant that any US-Cambodian who still had not applied for US citizenship and had been convicted of a felony would be deported back to Cambodia after living in the US all their life. Over 1400 convicted felons are proposed to be sent back in the next few years and naturally the re-adjustment to a life they don't know or understand is a difficult one
   
Chhin Toeun, 24, or Hawaii to his friends, walks around a central Phnom Penh market. After spending more than 7 years in prison; he was deported back to Cambodia. Previously a gang member in the US, he remains dressed like an American covered in tatoos and is seen as a foreigner to local Khmers even though he was born in Cambodia. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees, many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again.
     
  
Chhin Toeun, 24, (Hawaii) and So Chamroeun, 32, (Charlie) hang out on a street in central Phnom Penh. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees, many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again. A new policy in 2002 meant that any US-Cambodian who still had not applied for US citizenship and had been convicted of a felony would be deported back to Cambodia after living in the US all their life. Over 1400 convicted felons are proposed to be sent back in the next few years and naturally the re-adjustment to a life they don't know or understand is a difficult one.
   
Bong Bun, 25, or B to his mates, became a monk two months ago under pressure from his mother. His gang name was Turtle and was part of the Red Scorpion gang in Philadelphia. Life as a monk is extremely difficult for him but he continues to try. His friend Hawaii comes round to visit him at his temple. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees; many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again. A new policy in 2002 meant that any US-Cambodian who still had not applied for US citizenship and had been convicted of a felony would be deported back to Cambodia after living in the US all their life. Over 1400 convicted felons are proposed to be sent back in the next few years and naturally the re-adjustment to a life they don't know or understand is a difficult one.
  
Chhin Toeun, 24, or Hawaii to his friends, walks around a central Phnom Penh market. After spending more than 7 years in prison; he was deported back to Cambodia. Previously a gang member in the US, he remains dressed like an American covered in tatoos and is seen as a foreigner to local Khmers even though he was born in Cambodia. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees, many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again.
     
  
Bong Bun, 25, or B to his mates, became a monk two months ago under pressure from his mother. His gang name was Turtle and was part of the Red Scorpion gang in Philadelphia. Life as a monk is extremely difficult for him but he continues to try. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees; many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again. A new policy in 2002 meant that any US-Cambodian who still had not applied for US citizenship and had been convicted of a felony would be deported back to Cambodia after living in the US all their life. Over 1400 convicted felons are proposed to be sent back in the next few years and naturally the re-adjustment to a life they don't know or understand is a difficult one.
   
Chhin Toeun, 24, or Hawaii to his friends, walks around a central Phnom Penh market. After spending more than 7 years in prison; he was deported back to Cambodia. Previously a gang member in the US, he remains dressed like an American covered in tatoos and is seen as a foreigner to local Khmers even though he was born in Cambodia. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees, many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again.
  
Outside his house in a suburb of Phnom Penh Bunreas Pin, 24, or Boomer to his friends, reflects on his new home. Despite both his mother and father being Khmer, his US gang tatoos immediately mark him out as an outsider to other Cambodians. Boomer is one of several hundreds young US Cambodian's who have been permanently deported back to the country they fled over twenty years ago, never to return to the US again. Boomer is a fighter and is attempting to return to the US in the form of music. Growing up in Stockton, California, a city renowned for its hip hop scene, he spent a lot of his time surrounded by music and joined a recording studio before he was arrested. He now writes lyrics about his situation, about life as a deportee stuck in Cambodia and what the future holds.
     
  
Cambodia is developing a hip-hop scene and a lot of it has to do with the US Cambodian returnees. Here a returnee called KK teaches local children from the nearby ghetto how to breakdance.
  
Chhin Toeun, 24, or Hawaii to his friends, walks around a central Phnom Penh market. After spending more than 7 years in prison, he was deported back to Cambodia. Previously a gang member in the US, he remains dressed like an American covered in tatoos and is seen as a foreigner to local Khmers even though he was born in Cambodia. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees, many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again.
  
Bunreas Pin, 22, or Boomer to his mates. Part of the Asian Boyz gang in Stockton, California; he was sent here straight from prison at the age of 20 after being imprisoned just after his 18th birthday. After adapting to the new life; he got a job at the Intercontinental Hotel in Phnom Penh due to his English language skills and now serves VIPs. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees; many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again. A new policy in 2002 meant that any US-Cambodian who still had not applied for US citizenship and had been convicted of a felony would be deported back to Cambodia after living in the US all their life. Over 1400 convicted felons are proposed to be sent back in the next few years and naturally the re-adjustment to a life they don't know or understand is a difficult one.
     
  
Chhin Toeun, 24, or Hawaii to his friends, sits in his flat with his soon-to-be Khmer wife Sor; 21. Although he has an American wife and three children by her; he knows he will never see them again and refuses to 'stop living'. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees; many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again. A new policy in 2002 meant that any US-Cambodian who still had not applied for US citizenship and had been convicted of a felony would be deported back to Cambodia after living in the US all their life. Over 1400 convicted felons are proposed to be sent back in the next few years and naturally the re-adjustment to a life they don't know or understand is a difficult one.
   
In a local restaurant in the centre of Phnom Penh, Bunreas Pin, or Boomer to his friends, vents his frustration at the situation that led to his return to Cambodia. Boomer is one of several hundreds young US Cambodian's who have been permanently deported back to the country they fled over twenty years ago; never to return to the US again. Boomer is a fighter and is attempting to return to the US in the form of music. Growing up in Stockton, California, a city renowned for its hip hop scene, he spent a lot of his time surrounded by music and joined a recording studio before he was arrested. He now writes lyrics about his situation; about life as a deportee stuck in Cambodia and what the future holds.
  
Cambodia is developing a hip-hop scene and a lot of it has to do with the US Cambodian returnees. Here a returnee called KK teaches local children from the nearby ghetto how to breakdance.
     
  
Cambodian kids from a large slum practise breakdancing taught by some of the deportees.
   
While walking through one of Phnom Penh's worst ghettos, Bunreas Pin, 24, or Boomer to his friends, meets some of the kids who take breakdancing class everynight, taught by his friend. The kid takes pride in showing Boomer what he has learnt. Boomer is one of several hundreds young US Cambodian's who have been permanently deported back to the country they fled over twenty years ago, never to return to the US again. Boomer is a fighter and is attempting to return to the US in the form of music. Growing up in Stockton, California; a city renowned for its hip hop scene, he spent a lot of his time surrounded by music and joined a recording studio before he was arrested.
  
Celebrating the birthday of a deportee's one-year old child, all the guys get together at his house. Drinking beer, smoking weed and dancing to hip hop, they party the way they did back in the States. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees, many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again.
     
  
Chhin Toeun, 24, or Hawaii to his friends, walks around a central Phnom Penh market. After spending more than 7 years in prison; he was deported back to Cambodia. Previously a gang member in the US, he remains dressed like an American covered in tatoos and is seen as a foreigner to local Khmers even though he was born in Cambodia. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime to the US as refugees, many young American Cambodians are being sent back to Cambodia never to return to the US again.
  
In the doorway of his rented house in a suburb of Phnom Penh Bunreas Pin, 24, or Boomer to his friends, reflects on his new home. Despite both his mother and father being Khmer, his US gang tatoos immediately mark him out as an outsider to other Cambodians. Boomer is one of several hundreds young US Cambodian's who have been permanently deported back to the country they fled over twenty years ago, never to return to the US again.