From: Michael Yang
Subject: Re: FW: U.S. Immigration News, 5/12/04
Date: May 20, 2004 12:30:44 PM CDT
Folks,
I think we bette wake up the reality that the majority of the Hmong refugees in the camp will not be allowed to resettle. What are we going to do about it? Chances are these people may face forced deportation to Laos in which case safety is a huge issue or dispered into unwelcomed areas in Thailand without Thai citizens and be discriminated against.
It was communicated to me recently that after the delegation left, several people who were accused of talking too much to the delegation have disappeared. Has there being anything done to protect the refugees?
Please help me understand the stand of the Mayor's delegation on this (if anyone know). It is my hope that we do not leave these people out in the rain.
Michael Yang
651-296-1388
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: David Zander
Subject: iinaccurate rumors need to be quelled
Date: May 20, 2004 12:46:33 PM CDT
Update: May 20, 2004
RE: Comments from Michael Yang.
There were two briefings this week at which we heard very positive news about how the process of resettlement is proceeding. Yvonne Thayer from the state Dept briefed the Hmong community at Patrick Henry High school and at Concordia. In her briefing on the Wat resettlement, she said absolutely nothing that supports Michael's fears and rumors below.
On the contrary, 8,000 Hmong in the camp have been successfully screened so far. Of those 32% have indicated MN as a preference, about 31% chose California. Yvonne also addressed the issues and concerns for the safety of the Hmong in both Thailand and Laos. She spoke positively about the Health status - how people are being re-immunized so that they have current immunizations, and about the compassionate efforts from the state department with regard to family reunification.
I would suggest that Michael get better information from Chao Lee and Yia Xiong and others before writing in this irksome negative fashion.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Lee Pao Xiong
Subject: RE: iinaccurate rumors need to be quelled
Date: May 20, 2004 1:07:19 PM CDT
David:
Michael's concerns are valid concerns. To date those questions have not been properly addressed. At least I'm not of it. For example, there will be some folks who will not pass the interview and thus be disqualified from the resettlement program. What will happen to those people? We are only talking about a fraction of the people in the camp who will be resettled. There are more than 8,000 people in the temple. What about those who have left the temple compound? This is an emotional issue. Will our relatives be sent back to Laos? Will they be allowed to stay in Thailand?
Lee Pao Xiong
Director
Housing Policy and Development
Community Planning and Economic Development Dept.
City of Minneapolis
105 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 200
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401-2534
(612) 673-5128
(612) 673-5293 (fax)
leepao.xiong@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
The mission of CPED is "to promote and advance the City's planning and
community development goals through strategic partnerships and responsible
management of resources, and to support the public interest through implementation
of the City's plans and priorities."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Yia Xiong
Subject: RE: FW: U.S. Immigration News, 5/12/04
Date: May 20, 2004 1:06:41 PM CDT
I think the Hmong community is keenly aware of the fact that not all of the Hmong at the Wat will be able to resettle in the United States. They also know that even if a person or family is registered on the list, it is not a 100% guarantee that they will be resettled. Hmong refugees who test positive for drugs or have a criminal background will be disqualified.
Hmong community members have made it known their disappointment about the small number of people who are eligible for the resettlement program. Furthermore, at the two meetings organized by the Congressional offices this week, the State Department official stated that the US government has been communicating with the Thai government about the future of the remaining Hmong at the camp. She has also indicated that repatriation to Laos will most likely not occur. Whatever the action will be, the US will make sure that the Hmong are treated humanely throughout the process.
If people have any further questions, please contact your congressional offices or me at 612.727.5225.
Yia Xiong
Office of Senator Mark Dayton
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: tzianeng
Subject: RE: iinaccurate rumors need to be quelled
Date: May 20, 2004 1:23:45 PM CDT
David and friends,
I won't go as far and as quick as to say that Michael's misinformed. I believe he's just abit too anxious and too worry about the state of our brothers and sisters. On the other hand, I don't recommend anyone to treat the information received from elected officials nor the state departments as relevant either. These people only report on what they've received or heard of. We, the people of the community, tell what we know and experienced first hand (families/friends). So though I am not completely agreed with Michael I do see his point.
Thanks for the comments....
-tnv
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Sia Lo
Subject: Re: FW: U.S. Immigration News, 5/12/04
Date: May 20, 2004 3:19:04 PM CDT
Mike,
The State Department and ORR just briefed us yesterday at Concordia University
that most of the refugees in the camp will be coming to the U.S. In fact,
the State Department has already reserved 6,000 seats and the first family
has already arrived in California due to medical emergency. The State
Department also informed us that they are working closely with the
Thai government to make sure that those who do not wish to come to the
U.S. can immigrate to other countries or remain in Thailand.
If you are hearing something different, I encourage you to contact Senator
Dayton, Coleman or Rep. McCollum's Office.
With regards to Mayor Kelly's delegation, we have completed our assessment
report and you can get a copy from the county's or our website. Currently,
our city is using the report to identify needs and resources so that we can
provide a smoother transition for these new refugees. It is also my understanding
that other agencies are doing the same. We have no plan to abandon the
refugees that are coming. In fact, we have been putting plans to gather
to make sure that they can become productive citizens as soon as possible.
If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly
at 651-266-8580.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Michael Yang
Subject: Re: FW: U.S. Immigration News, 5/12/04
Date: May 20, 2004 3:36:53 PM CDT
Sia,
Thanks for the good work. My concern centers on those who will be left behind. It is hopeful that our the Department of ORR and members of our congressional delegates are in support of a safe resolution to the remaining refugees. However, I would encourage all of us to be vigilant in pushing the issue as a collective voice. Can you organize a group?
Secondly, there is a Hmong gentlement from Pehtchanbun, Thailand, looking for Hmong professionals to volunteer in Thailand to help monitor the flow of Hmong from Laos, do a PR campaign, and help develop a advocacy strategy to help the Hmong refugees in Thailand. A huge focus will be on the wellbeing of children. If anyone is interested, please contact me directly at 651-296-1388.
Michael Yang
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: lauraxiong
Subject: Re: Re: FW: U.S. Immigration News, 5/12/04
Date: May 21, 2004 12:40:23 PM CDT
Dear Friends,
I have just spoken with our contact person at the State Department. Please inform your relatives in the US that the interviw process is running smoothly and the majority of the applicants are eligible for the resettlement.
They estimate a roughly of 5000-7000 refugees will be settled in the US by the end of September, 2004 (the State Department's fiscal Year end 2004).
Almost 100% of the registered refugees on the DataBase will be coming to the US. I feel relief and look forward to have our long suffered relatives joining us in the land of the free.
The MAA and the Hmong community will ensure that the new refugees become good and proud citizens of the US as many of us today.
25 years ago, I was just a tiny little illeterated girl. Now I am a proud US Citizen. I am sure that at least some of the girls in that group will become X-exponent times better than many of us.
Million "Thanks" to the US Government, especially, the State Department officials who did and continue to do their best to work with the Hmong community.
Best,
Laura