Title
Opposing deportations of refugees.
Body
WHEREAS, many Hmong, Lao, and other ethnic minority Lao refugees immigrated to the United States, and today over 100,000 Hmong, Lao and other ethnic groups* who trace their heritage to Laos are residents of Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, Hmong, Lao, and other ethnic soldiers were recruited and trained by the U.S. CIA to fight alongside U.S. soldiers in the Secret War in Laos during the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, as a direct result of the Secret War, Hmong, Lao, and other ethnic soldiers died and subsequently their families faced persecution and fled Laos; and
WHEREAS, the United States offered protection to its Hmong, Lao, and other ethnic allies after the war, allowing many to resettle in the United States; and
WHEREAS, like many refugee groups before them, Hmong, Lao, and other ethnic refugees from Laos have resettled to the United States to escape war and persecution, to find opportunities, and to better their lives and the lives of their children; and
WHEREAS, Hmong, Lao, and other ethnic groups from Laos became Americans who are helping build a vibrant and diverse St. Paul, contributing culturally, academically, socially, politically, and economically to our city; and
WHEREAS, nearly 4,800 Hmong, Lao, and members of other ethnic groups from Laos, and 8,400 Vietnamese and 1,500 Cambodian individuals across the country have final orders of removal; and
WHEREAS, Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees have already been subjected to deportation for years and have faced hardship and retaliation; and
WHEREAS, Hmong, Lao, and other ethnic groups from Laos who came as refugees have built family and community foundations in St. Paul; many have no family ties in Laos; do not speak the language; and, may have never lived in Laos; and
WHEREAS, Hmong, Lao, and other ethnic refugees who have final orders of removal will face the dangers of marginalization, poverty, violence or death in Laos; and
WHEREAS, the City of St. Paul asserts and reaffirms that all refugees and immigrants are welcome in our communities; and
WHEREAS, the Trump Administration’s actions on deportations and repatriation of Southeast Asians and other refugees in Minnesota and the United States are in conflict with the City’s values to welcome all people, including refugees and immigrants; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the City of St. Paul hereby condemns the deportation and repatriation of Hmong, Lao, and ethnic groups from Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam who reside in St. Paul and across the United States; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the City of St. Paul urges the Department of Homeland Security to end any field operations targeting Hmong, Lao, and other Southeast Asian refugees; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the City of St. Paul urges Minnesota’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office to consider the suffering of families if family members are deported back to Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the City of St. Paul will continue to commit resources to educate its employees and commit resources to ensure that the City Attorney’s office has affordable legal immigration support for city residents, and that the City Attorney’s office understands the immigration implications in its role as the City’s prosecutor; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the City of St. Paul will commit to investing resources and working with community organizations who are fighting to stop deportation, and are providing support, information, and education about people’s rights during ICE check-ins and raids to the community; and finally
RESOLVED, that the City of St. Paul will send copies of the resolution to the Minnesota Congressional Delegation to seek support in opposing deportations.