Fresno Hmong Oppose Trump Deportation Plan to Laos

Hmong community members met Thursday near a statue of their hero — a statue depicting what led to their arrival in America.
Just yards away from the memorial, showing two Hmong soldiers saving an American ally, and plaques honoring Gen. Vang Pao, the Hmong residents asked that their contributions to the United States be respected by President Donald Trump.

The community opposes negotiations between the Trump administration and the Laotian government that could result in several thousand Hmong and Lao immigrants being deported.
“It has caused deep confusion, fear, and a sense of betrayal to the Hmong and Lao community,” event organizer Hue Vang told a group of 80 or so gathered at the lunchtime rally at Courthouse Park.
Fresno Hmong want their voices heard. One Valley congressman responded.
“The human rights situation in Laos is deeply troubling and the administration’s recent moves to deport Hmong and Lao residents of the U.S. to that country are alarming,” Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) said. He also had a staff aide at the Fresno rally.
Hmong settled in areas like the Central Valley and Minnesota/Wisconsin after the Vietnam War. About 25,000 Hmong live in Fresno.
“Our community is outraged and hurt,” said Bobby Bliatout, a Hmong leader and candidate for the 22nd District seat held by Rep. Devin Nunes.

Possible US-Laos Agreement

The United States and Laos do not have a formal deportation agreement. Negotiations revolve around future U.S. funding of a reintegration program for deportees to Laos.
While the move would not affect those with U.S. citizenship, it would affect non-citizens with criminal records and deportation orders. Such orders have been rare. According to ICE data, five Laotian nationals were removed in 2019, and eight in 2018. That compares to more than 127,000 deportation orders to Mexico in 2019.
Close to 3,500 Hmong and Laotians are subject to removal orders, according to data from Syracuse University  But community activists around the country say the number could be as high as 4,700.
And, while the Department of Homeland Security prioritizes the most serious of crimes for deportation, such as terrorism and threats to national security, any crime could result in deportation. Activists say deportation is unfair to those who have committed crimes and served their punishment.

Proposal Is a ‘Betrayal,’ Says Minnesota Congresswoman

The Trump proposal has been condemned by Minnesota Democratic Congresswoman Betty McCollum, who plans to introduce legislation to block the move.
“The Trump administration’s deportation policy, and Republican support for it in Congress, is an attack on Hmong-American and Lao-American families and a betrayal of the courageous and vibrant Hmong and Lao communities that contribute so much to America’s strength and success,” McCollum said.
Costa said he sent letters of concern to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf.
“I am also supporting legislation that would require complete examination of the facts prior to determining whether they justify such action. My office has been, and will continue to be, actively engaged with the Hmong community in the Valley to provide further information and support in order to assist those affected,” Costa said.
Many speakers during the event asked that local leaders stand up for them.

Deportations Not Fair, Opponents Say

Hmong veterans, some in uniform at the rally, provided a reminder of the “Secret War” that left their people without a country when the war ended.
Paying Her, the program manager at Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries, said the issue is causing confusion in the Hmong community.
“We are just thinking about being part of the United States and being their soldiers (during the Vietnam War),” Her said. “It is very unfair for a lot of these individuals here, especially the elders that are veterans.”
While veterans who became citizens would not be affected, their families might be.
Pointing to the Lao veterans statue, Bliatout said, “This soldier that is up here, saving another American soldier … if you told him his child could be deported, he would drop him.”
Even if they are not American citizens, Bliatout said that punishment in the criminal justice system is enough for those convicted of crimes.
“Deportation is not part of the punishment for our American citizens, and that is what is going on,” Bliatout said.
He wants citizenship to pass to Hmong beyond those who fought with America in the war.
“This deportation is to a country that is communist. A country where we were persecuted. That’s wrong.”