Vietnam after 50 years: Minnesota welcomes war refugees with open arms

Vietnam War It started in 1955, about 8,000 miles from the United States in the thick and distant bush in southern Vietnam. While the United States spread slowly in Vietnam in the fifties, the full publication of the combat units began in 1965.

The fighting soon spread to Laos and Cambodia, with the employment of the CIA and the training of thousands of People To fight on behalf of the Americans during a secret operation in Laos, known as “Secret war.“

But the efforts made to stop the spread of communism in Southeast Asia failed on April 30, 1975 with the fall of Saigon, when the American forces evacuated the country. According to the national archive, more than 58,220 Americans were killed in the war.

Up to 3.5 million Vietnamese people, including soldiers on both sides of the conflict and civilians.

More than 80,000 Humong soldiers Refugees also died, as did 20,000 Laotians.

Anderson Governor’s resettlement plans

Minnesota has a rich history to welcome refugees in the country, and it was among the 10 best states throughout the country following the end of the war.

In October 1975, Minnesota obtained the largest number of refugees in Southeast Asia in the Middle West, according to GOV at the time. Windl Anderson.

But the ruler was thinking, in the long run, how would these refugees get the services they needed in the state? What kind of assistance will they need in the future? And how will they succeed and succeed in a place with a completely different culture and language?

In December 1975, Anderson established the Indonesian resettlement office, which later became the Refugee Programs Office in 1981.

Anderson also established the Indo -Refugee Action Squad to provide advice to his office, which included representatives of social services organizations, the American Vietnamese Association, the Cambodian refugee community, social welfare departments, employment and education services, and the private sector.

The Labor Squad had two main functions: collecting data on southeastern families in Southeast Asia in the state and providing information about the classes, programs and modern laws to the refugee community.

The work group will also make efforts to address racial discrimination and employ prejudice and linguistic barriers faced by refugees upon arrival at Minnesota.

The best estimates appear This day in Minnesota, there are more than 16,000 Lotan immigrants; More than 33,000 Vietnamese immigrants; About 12,000 Cambodi immigrants.

With nearly 95,000 immigrants from Humong, Minnesota is home to the largest concentration of HMong in America.

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This story is part of Pauline Lu DocumentaryVietnam after 50 years: Thinking about a war that changed Minnesota“

Join WCCO on Wednesday, May 7, at 5 pm to conduct a special presentation at the Concordia College in Saint -Paul – hosted by the Hummung Studies Center:

• Benc Education Center (beet)
• 1282 Concordia Avenue, St. Paul, Mn 55104
• The attendees are encouraged to stand in LOT A, Carroll Street or Syndicate Street

Watch the full documentary below, or On YouTube channel.