Hmong can seek entry into U.S.

Sac Bee ^ | 12/23/03 | Michael Doyle

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON -- Thousands of Hmong war refugees stuck in Thailand now can seek resettlement in the United States, in a diplomatic reversal welcomed within the Central Valley's sizable Hmong community.

The State Department's shift means an estimated 15,000 Hmong long ensconced at a Buddhist temple soon can start applying for U.S. entry. A good number are likely to end up in California and Minnesota, both magnets for Hmong refugees.

[vladog]

Ahh, and just why do we want these people in the US? There ain't room for the whole world in the US.

[PAR35]

Ahh, and just why do we want these people in the US?

Because we owe them. The US cut out and abandoned them after they "assisted the U.S. effort during the Vietnam War."

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

We're being overrun by Hmongs and Hmexicans.

[Catspaw]

Because if they were sent back to Laos, they'd be killed for fighting on the side of the US.

[KantianBurke]

They were our allies during the Vietnam War and suffered terribly when we pulled out. We owe them.

[vladog]

We don't owe anyone anything. The reverse is true.

[Arkinsaw]

Ahh, and just why do we want these people in the US?

Because they were some of the best allies we have had in any war and we don't abandon allies. They continue to pay for their support for us during the war and they need to finally get the freedom that their fathers fought with us for.

[Catspaw]

I'm sure some of the Hmong will be resettled in Wisconsin as well.

We've had Hmong neighbors for years, and they're very nice neighbors. The oldest generation still yearns to go back to Laos, but the younger generations have been thoroughly Westernized.

[KantianBurke]

They had their homes and communities annihilated due to their support of our troops during the war. US soldiers lives were saved by their help. Yes we do owe them. Sorry you don't see the difference between illegals and the Hmong.

[Howlin]

Great explanation.

[PAR35]

We don't owe anyone anything. The reverse is true.

The U.S. sold their country out to the communists.

[vladog]

I repeat there is not room for everyone in the whole world inside the US. I don't want any more people immigrating into this country from any where, legal or illegal.

The US is now around 300 million people. Are we better off now then when there were only 200 million? I don't thing so!

[RightWhale]

just why do we want these people in the US?

We're obligated, having put them to some degree in danger by our actions.

[Heyworth]

Hmong among us.

I hear that they've got a fairly serious gang problem in the Central Valley among Hmong teens.

[KantianBurke]

sad article :<

Throughout the United States, the number of Hmong gangs and the level of their criminal activity is increasing in severity. Their participation in criminal activity has evolved over time. During that evolution, they have become involved in a wide range of crimes, such as homicides, gang rapes, prostitution, home invasions, burglaries, auto thefts, and, most recently, the sale and distribution of illicit drugs.

The crime of rape, however, with its violent nature, its strong incorporation into the gang's operational structure, and the serious implications for the victim and the overall Hmong community, represents a particular concern to the law enforcement profession and requires a special focus to find ways of decreasing its occurrence. To this end, the law enforcement community must examine the unique structure of Hmong gangs, including their historical and cultural influences, and the characteristics of the "ritual" use of rape by these gangs and the impact on the victims. (1)

Exploring Hmong Gang Structure

The Hmong gangs started forming in St. Paul and Ramsey County, Minnesota, in the mid-1980s. (2) The first Hmong gang in Minnesota, the Cobra gang, began as a group of teenage friends who played on a soccer team. At the time, the majority lived in housing projects and banded together to protect themselves and other Hmong youth from the racism occurring in their schools and neighborhoods. Eventually, some members of the Cobra soccer team became involved in crimes, leading to the evolution of the Cobra gang. These crimes started out as fights, thefts, and other minor crimes, but soon led to more serious crimes, such as auto theft and aggravated assault.

Around 1988, some 10-and 11-year-old Hmong youths wanted to become members of the Cobra gang. After being told that they were too young, they decided to start their own gang, the White Tigers. The White Tiger gang was, perhaps, the first Hmong gang to break into gun shops to obtain weapons. They would steal a car, drive it through the front door of a gun shop, and have individuals go into the store, break the glass out of the gun cases, and scoop guns (usually only semiautomatic handguns) into a bag. In just a few minutes, the gang could acquire 20 to 30 guns. With these weapons, the White Tigers became the first of the active and violent Hmong gangs in Minnesota.

In addition to these two gangs, several others, such as the Oroville Mono Boys, Oriental Ruthless Boys, and Asian Crips, exist in Minnesota and throughout the country. These gangs, comprised of many members, operate in California, North and South Carolina, Rhode Island, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Because Hmong gangs are not as organized as African-American and Hispanic gangs in leadership and rank structure, their members do not need to ask a leader for permission before committing a crime. In fact, some members of the gang may not know that their own members have perpetrated a crime.

In addition, Hmong gangs often resort to violence, as was the case in the St. Paul/Minneapolis area during the summer of 1999. Within about a 6-week period, at least 22 reported shootings resulted in two deaths and 14 injuries. The majority of these shootings occurred among four rival gangs, the White Tigers, Oroville Mono Boys, Purple Brothers, and Oriental Ruthless Boys. This violence primarily resulted from the abundant availability of guns within the gangs and the need to "save face" by not backing down or showing weakness to a rival gang.
Next Page:

http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m2194/2_72/98253655/p1/article.jhtml

[Modernman]

We don't owe anyone anything. The reverse is true.

BS. The Hmong were loyal allies and we cut and run and left them to the tender mercies of the Communists.

America should remember its friends.

[Modernman]

The US is now around 300 million people. Are we better off now then when there were only 200 million? I don't thing so!

America's a mostly empty country with lots of empty space. Are we better off than we were with 200 million people? The two different population counts don't make much difference. In the interim, our per capita economy economy and standard of living has certainly grown by more than 50%. So, we are better off.

And 15,000 Hmong are less than a drop in the bucket.

[VOA]

ping...maybe of interest...

[cherry]

I'd rather we have a diverse group of people come in here if we are going to let every Tom, Dick and Harry in.....

remember, "diversity" is our friend....

but seriously, Hmong people are hard-working and make good citizens....