Cambodian Refugees in America: Years after granting asylum, US forces refugees to return home

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The US government has been quietly increasing the deportations of Cambodian refugees. Many have lived in America for years, granted asylum after the Cambodian genocide of the 1970's. But under Washington's harsh new immigration policies, the government is finding ways to deport hundreds of these legal immigrants. Tony Cheng has the story.

Imagine fleeing with your family from one of the worst genocides in recent history. You spend years living in different refugee camps until finally, against the odds, you're granted access to the United States.

"I was really happy because I thought that was freedom over there. You know, have an opportunity to make a life for myself, and the opportunities were endless. So I considered myself, when I got there, as an American."

That was what happened to Mitchell when his family fled the Khmer Rouge. He lived the American dream, working his way through college, building a business, paying taxes and building a family. Until two months ago when he was kicked back to Cambodia.

MITCHELL "It's really hard. It's just a nightmare. It's been a nightmare just for me here because I don't really know how to function yet because I'm not used to it yet, I'm used to America."

Mitchell was arrested for possession of 8 pounds of marijuana. After serving a year in jail, he thought he'd done his time, but he was deported straight from prison. He still speaks to his family, back in Wisconsin every day, but its hard to explain the situation to his two-year-old daughter.

She's pretty confused. She's very confused because she doesn't even know what to say every day.

Mitchell is relatively lucky. He grew up speaking some Khmer and he still has family in Phnom Penh. His Aunt and cousins have been helping him adjust to Cambodian life. A world away from the green pastures of Wisconsin.

OUN NAI MITCHELL'S AUNT "I feel sorry for him, Cambodia is such a hot country. Over there it's cold, so I cried as soon he arrived."

But as Cambodia develops, things have improved.

TONY CHENG PHNOM PENH "For the returnees being sent back today, things aren't nearly as bad as they used to be. Cambodia has opened up enormously, millions of tourists visit every year and many ordinary Cambodians now speak very good English. But for the first group that came back in 2002, it was a very different story."

"Charlie" was one of the first sent back in 2003. The experience was hard, but now he works helping others like him at risk a center helping returnees assimilate to life in their new home and giving them new skills.

CHARLIE "You have to have a strong mind, and you have to accept the fact that its messed up what the US did but it is what it is. You gotta move on, this is your life now."

That is what Mitchell is trying to do. His wife and daughter will visit this summer and possibly move across to join him permanently. But when pressed, he still admits he'd like to go home.

"I'm hoping there would be some chance and the way things are looking, there is always a chance, but how great is it? I don't know."

At this stage, the chances are not good. Since 2002, 636 Americans of Cambodian heritage have been sent back. To date, not a single one has been allowed to return. Tony Cheng, CGTN, Phnom Penh.