Brief Hmong American History
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In Minnesota: “Credit for the large Twin Cities Hmong population may be owed to the area’s progressive attitude, as well as its economic and educational opportunities. Minnesota has a long history of welcoming new immigrants. Moreover, the state has a reputation for excellent student achievement in national standardized tests. The Twin Cities in particular offer good job prospects and a high standard of living.”

— Mnopedia.com
2023

The U.S. is home to about 368,000 Hmong; with the largest population concentrated in California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Hmong Americans have a 200-year history in Laos prior to migrating to the U.S. as war-torn refugees that began in 1975. They have a long history of resisting oppression and authoritarian ruling system. The Hmong were originally from the Central Plains in China with archeological findings dating back some 5,000 years ago. They were driven out to Southwest China due to rises and falls of empires and states. Some of their ancestors exited China into Southeast Asia as early as in the mid-1700s due to ongoing rebellions and territorial encroachments by the Imperial Chinese government. The last Hmong migration out of China took place during the Miao Rebellion (1854-1873). They resettled in Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and Vietnam.

In Laos, the Hmong relocated into the mountainous northern region, including around the Plain of Jars. They cultivated the land and raised livestock as ways of life. In the early 1900s, the Hmong began to participate in local Lao politics. With the French occupation of Laos, several Hmong leaders held local political positions as well as many Hmong men joined the French army to repel Japanese and Viet Minh invasions. In the 1950s, Laos had a fragile government, which was divided into three factions: Communist faction; Neutralist Government; and pro-Democracy —The Royal Lao Government. The Hmong of Laos were also caught up in these political divides.

By the early 1960s, the Hmong population in Laos was estimated around 300,000. During the Secret War from 1961-1975, about two-third of the Hmong sided with the Americans, organized and financed by the CIA and led by Gen. Vang Pao. One of their roles was to prevent communist expansion beyond Laos. Meanwhile, one-third joined the Communist forces of the North Vietnamese Army and Pathet Lao.

When the Vietnam War era concluded in 1975 with the CIA pulled out of Laos, these CIA-backed Hmong soldiers became direct target of annihilation by the new communist regime. They and their families escaped into Thailand to seek refuge. From 1975 to 1992, an estimated of 100,000 Hmong — especially women, children, and elders — were killed in Laos as they attempted to escape into Thailand. Between 10,000 and 20,000 Hmong had drowned into the unforgiving currents of the Mekong River. For the lucky 135,000 Hmong (1975-1992, 2004), they were sponsored to the U.S. as refugees from the camps in Thailand through the U.S. refugee resettlement program. In Minnesota, the first Hmong family arrived in December of 1975.