MAP Caucus Response to Trump Threat to Deport Refugees
St. Paul, Minn. – Minnesota's Asian Pacific Caucus released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration negotiating with the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on an agreement to allow the deportation of long-time Hmong and Lao residents of the U.S. back to their country of birth. Over 4,500 Lao and Hmong Americans have an order of removal.
“Our caucus includes immigrants and refugees – we consider any deportation of Southeast Asians to be a personal betrayal of our values and our duty as Americans. The Trump Administration has opened the door to breaking apart our communities by threatening to send refugees back to a place they have never called home. We welcome any Minnesotan who has concerns and questions to reach out to our offices – we stand with you and we are here to help stop these immoral deportations.”
The Southeast Asian community has been in Minnesota for more than 40 years. Many have built their livelihoods here and call Minnesota their home. Many have been raised in Minnesota and never spoke the language Lao. Southeast Asian Americans are the largest refugee population ever resettled in the United States. Many are in the United States because they allied with the US during the Vietnam War or because of US involvement in Laos and Cambodia.
“We are aware that there are a lot of fears and a lot of questions to be answered,” added MAP Caucus Chair Samantha Vang. “Our office is working rigorously with our congressional offices and looking at ways we can legislatively support our communities from being forcibly deported.”
The MAP Caucus members can be reached at:
MAP Caucus Chair Samantha Vang (DFL - Brooklyn Park)
Rep.samantha.vang@house.mn or 651-296-3709
MAP Caucus Vice Chair Kaohly Her (DFL- St. Paul)
Rep.kaohly.her@house.mn or 651-296-8799
Assistant Majority Leader Fue Lee (DFL - Minneapolis)
Rep.fue.lee@house.mn or 651-296-4262
Rep. Tou Xiong (DFL - Maplewood)
Rep.tou.xiong@house.mn or 651-296-7807
Rep. Jay Xiong (DFL- St. Paul)
Rep.jay.xiong@house.mn or 651-296-4201
Sen. Foung Hawj (DFL - St. Paul)
foungh@senate.mn or 651-296-5285