Representative Moore Calls for Secretary of State to Stop Efforts to Deport Hmong People
Washington,
February 14, 2020
Tags:
Immigration
Representative Moore Calls for Secretary of State to Stop Efforts to Deport Hmong People WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Representatives Moore, Pocan, and Senator Baldwin sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, urging the Administration to stop their efforts to deport Hmong people from the United States. In response, Congresswoman Moore released the following statement: “Trump has launched an immigration agenda rooted in fear, xenophobia, and paranoia against immigrant families. After separating infants and toddlers from their families at the border, sending back asylum seekers to their deaths in their home countries, the Administration’s deportation machine is aimed at the families of those who helped our soldiers during the Vietnam War, the Hmong people who have lived in and contributed to our state and communities for decades. Many have created deep roots by starting families, attending school, and establishing businesses here. These are our neighbors, our friends, and our community members. It’s just wrong. The Milwaukee area has the fourth largest population of Hmong people in the country, many of whom were admitted as refugees after the end of the Vietnam War. This decision blatantly ignores the history of their journey to America which was due in large part to their allegiance to the United States during the Vietnam War. In the mid-1970’s, many families fled persecution, hardship and oppression in Laos and started a new life in Wisconsin. Deportation would not only be dangerous for them, but also isolating for those who have known no other home than this country. I will continue to fight against this Administration’s harmful immigration policies, which are creating needless fear among many of my constituents and will do everything to push this Administration to end this heartless policy,” said Rep. Moore. “As members of Congress for the state of Wisconsin, we refuse to stand for this blatant racism against the 49,000 members of the Hmong community living across our state,” said Rep. Pocan. “I refuse to let our friends and neighbors be deported to a country that too many of them fled as refugees. We cannot allow this administration to unilaterally deport an entire ethnic community whenever they see fit. Wisconsin is their home and it will remain their home.” Read the full letter here. ### |
