From Refugee to Citizen: Venerable Heanh Sroy's Journey of Resilience

Venerable Sroy and Senior Staff Attorney Nancy Wong

In the heart of Oakland’s vibrant Cambodian community, a celebration unfolded this April that was decades in the making. Venerable Heanh Sroy, the ranking abbot for the Cambodian Buddhist Church in Oakland, became a United States citizen—a milestone that represents not just a change in legal status, but the culmination of an extraordinary journey marked by both profound tragedy and remarkable resilience.

Surviving Unimaginable Tragedy

Venerable Sroy’s path to citizenship began in Cambodia, where he endured the unspeakable horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime during Pol Pot’s reign. Like millions of Cambodians, he experienced torture and persecution during one of history’s darkest chapters. In the aftermath of these atrocities, Venerable Sroy faced the devastating loss of his spouse and two children.

It was amidst this immense grief that he made the life-changing decision to become a Buddhist monk, dedicating his life to spiritual practice and service to others.

Finding a New Beginning

In March 2019, Venerable Sroy reached out to our team at API Legal Outreach seeking assistance with his green card application. Speaking only Khmer, he was accompanied by Rene Suon In, his dedicated caseworker from Asian Health Services who provided crucial interpretation support.

Our Senior Staff Attorney Nancy Wong worked closely with Venerable Sroy to file for a refugee-based adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident. By January 2020, this first milestone was achieved when he received his green card—a moment of profound joy and significance for someone who had experienced such displacement.

The Path to Citizenship

Three years later, in September 2023, Venerable Sroy and Suon In returned to APILO with hopes of applying for U.S. citizenship. Attorney Wong immediately stepped in to provide comprehensive support, helping Venerable Sroy navigate the complex naturalization process.

Understanding the unique challenges Venerable Sroy faced, Wong assisted him in applying for both a fee waiver and a disability waiver. The disability waiver was granted based on the years of PTSD resulting from his traumatic wartime experiences—an important acknowledgment of the invisible wounds many refugees carry with them.

A Dream Realized

On April 1, 2025, surrounded by his community, Venerable Sroy took the oath to become a United States citizen. The timing was especially meaningful as it coincided with preparations for Cambodian New Year celebrations—a period of renewal and fresh beginnings in Cambodian culture.

To mark this significant achievement, Suon In, who had evolved from caseworker to friend over the years, invited Attorney Wong to join their community’s New Year celebration. During the festivities, Venerable Sroy expressed his heartfelt gratitude to APILO for our assistance throughout his immigration journey.

With characteristic generosity, Venerable Sroy has chosen to share his story and photo, hoping to inspire others in similar situations to pursue citizenship. His journey represents the power of perseverance, community support, and the profound impact of accessible legal services for immigrant communities.

The Bigger Picture

Venerable Sroy’s story reflects the essential work happening at the intersection of legal advocacy and community care. It highlights how culturally responsive legal services—provided in partnership with community organizations and interpreters—can transform lives and strengthen communities.

For many refugees who have experienced profound trauma, the path to citizenship involves not just navigating complex legal systems but also healing from past wounds. By recognizing and accommodating these realities through services like disability waivers, our immigration system can become more humane and accessible.

As we celebrate Venerable Sroy’s citizenship, we also honor the resilience of refugee communities and recommit ourselves to creating pathways to belonging for all who seek safety and opportunity in this country.

APILO provides legal and social services to underrepresented communities of the Greater Bay Area, with a focus on the most vulnerable members of our community. If you or someone you know needs immigration assistance, please contact us.