Table of Contents
Why are there refugees from Cambodia?
The refugee camps were declared closed to new arrivals by the government of Thailand, but Cambodians gained access through bribery or being smuggled into the camps. Many of the Cambodians in the refugee and border camps remained there for years, fearful of returning to their country and desiring resettlement abroad.
Where did Cambodian refugees go?
Hundreds of thousands of refugees fled their homes and sought refuge in Thailand and Vietnam. Between 1979 and 1989, almost 150,000 Cambodians came to the United States.
How many refugees fled Cambodia?
Indochinese repatriated, voluntarily or involuntarily, to their home countries with assistance from UNHCR totalled 525,000 between 1975 and 1997. These included 390,000 Cambodians, 127,000 Vietnamese, and 27,000 Laotians.
Are there refugee camps in Cambodia?
Khao I Dang camp opened in 1979, after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, and became one of the most enduring refugee camps on the Thai-Cambodia border. At its peak, the huge compound of bamboo and thatched houses sheltered nearly 140,000 refugees.
Why did the US accept Cambodian refugees?
To encourage rapid cultural assimilation and to spread the economic impact, the US government dispersed the refugees into various cities and states throughout the country.
What challenges did the Cambodian refugees face?
In addition to struggling to lift themselves out of poverty, many Cambodians faced challenges associated with PTSD and other mental health ailments.
Why did Cambodian refugees come to the US?
After the fall of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge regime in 1975, few Cambodians were able to escape; it was not until after the regime was overthrown in 1979 did large waves of Cambodians begin immigrating to the US as refugees.
Where do most Cambodian live in USA?
According to the 2010 US Census, an estimated 276,667 people of Cambodian descent reside in the United States, with most of the population concentrated in California, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
What US city has the most Cambodians?
Large cities
| Rank | City | Cambodian-Americans |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stockton | 10,170 |
| 2 | Long Beach | 18,000 |
| 3 | Philadelphia | 10,000 |
| 4 | Jacksonville | 1,700 |
How many Cambodian refugees were there?
During the Khmer Rouge reign in Cambodia, many know that one million people died after great suffering. An estimated one million others fled Cambodia, with over 100,000 settling in the United States.
Why did the U.S. accept Cambodian refugees?