Issue Position: Foreign Policy, Trade, and Defense - Laos and the Hmong

Issue Position

The Hmong have been stalwart allies of the U.S. since the Vietnam War, when many Hmong fought alongside U.S. soldiers and were a vital part of the war effort. Their bravery was unsurpassed and they have remained our allies since. After the war and the formation of the Communist government in Laos, the Hmong were persecuted by the Laotian government largely because of their assistance to the U.S. during the war. Such circumstances have caused Hmong from persecuted communities to seek refuge and asylum in other nations. Of grave concern to me are the Hmong refugees in Thailand who are in imminent danger of being forcibly repatriated to Laos. According to a humanitarian organization working at the refugee camp, the Thai government has been involuntarily sending Hmong refugees back to Laos since 2005. This is simply unacceptable. These refugees deserve to be protected in Thailand until they can be resettled in a different country.

As you are likely aware, approximately 170,000 Hmong currently reside in the United States in such areas as Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Rhode Island, and approximately 270 Hmong refugees have resettled so far in Dane County. Many Hmong-Americans have family members who are still in Southeast Asia who are currently in Thai detention facilities awaiting resettlement.

I believe that the United States must remain committed to recognizing the service of the Hmong people and providing a safe haven for Hmong refugees. I will continue to support efforts to address violence against members of the Hmong community in Laos and Thailand.

Source