From Combat Zones to Communities: Exploring the Echoes of ICE Raids in the U.S. with Viet Thanh Nguyen

Reflections on U.S. Actions and Identity in a Changing World

In 2025, prominent author Viet Thanh Nguyen explores the theme of being perceived as the “other” within the context of American society. Drawing from his experience as a South Vietnamese immigrant, Nguyen connects his narrative to broader issues, including U.S. foreign policy, domestic ICE raids, the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and the protests that have erupted across the United States. His insights reveal the intertwined nature of these realities, illustrating how violence abroad resonates within American borders. Through this lens, Nguyen urges us to reconsider our understanding of identity and complicity in the face of global injustices.