Hmong of Laos need Patriot Act waiver
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Promoted from diaries. - Moe Lane
Originally published by The HinzSight Report's DeVine Law...
There are a number of credible reports that the 2001 Patriot Act's broad definition of a "terrorist group" is preventing thousands of Hmong refugees from being granted asylum in the United States, despite the fact that companion legislation passed the same year sought to make it easier for our allies in the Vietnam War to migrate here. Many of the Hmong of Laos are still fighting and on the run from communist enemies. Others are just now surrendering, more than 30 years after Democrats in the US Congress cut off funds to them in 1975.
"That is a great concern because these people are not terrorists," said Chasong Yang, executive director of the Hmong Mutual Assistance Association of Sheboygan, adding that people he has told about the law "cannot believe it."
The law took effect in October 2001 amid a flurry of post-Sept. 11 legislation, but it had not drawn much attention until now because the policy took several years to implement and its impact on refugees is just now able to be measured, said Melanie Nezer, an attorney for the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, who is coordinating a working group aimed at changing the laws.
"I'm continually amazed at how this policy has been implemented and expanded," Nezer said in a telephone interview from Washington, D.C. "There was a need to act and act quickly, but now we have time and we've looked at it and we've seen what absurd results this has had, so it's time to fix it."
The restrictions on the Hmong have special irony since Congress only a few years ago — in 2001 — passed a law easing the citizenship requirements for the Hmong in recognition of their efforts aiding the U.S. against the communist North Vietnamese army.
A crisis situation exists now in Thailand concerning a large number of Hmong that have fled to that country hoping to get to the United States. Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) is working to fashion legislation to correct the overall problem and to get the State Department to grant waivers now, before legislation can be passed and signed into law:
Mainhia Khang, an Immigration Policy and staff liaison for U.S. Senator Norm Coleman, said their office is working with Thailand regarding the existing remains of 211 disinterred Hmong. Sen. Coleman is concerned that the Thai government is demanding documentation from families as proof and may charge fees. In addition, most of the new Hmong cannot travel to Thailand without affecting their immigration status and application to become U.S. citizens.
It appears that the US government is now on top of the situation caused by a patriot Act provision that should have distinguished between the good guys and the bad guys much as president Bush properly does.
Disciples Home Missions has a rapid response alert with a form letter you can send to your elected representatives:
The U.S. State Department reports that many refugees are being held up in the resettlement process until this issue is resolved including:
Chin Burmese who supported those resisting the oppressive government of Burma
Cubans who backed anti-Castro forces
Liberian women who were abused and forced to provide services for the resistance forces
Colombian children forced to become porters for the rebel forces
Hmong and Montagnard who supported U.S. Special Forces during the Vietnam War
In addition, hundreds of persons from these same countries and others who were in the United States and applied for asylum have been denied and deported. In the past, most of these persons would have received asylum because of the persecution they have suffered. There are also at least 500 persons who previously received asylum who are on hold as they try to change to permanent residency, something that has been a pretty automatic process in the past. There is also concern about what might happen as permanent residents apply for citizenship, if in the past they also gave forced material support.We're happy to report that, after much effort on the part of refugee advocates, the U.S. Secretary of State has exercised discretionary authority to allow several thousand ethnic Karen Burmese refugees who were awaiting resettlement out of the Tham Hin camp in Thailand to be processed, even if they have provided “material support” to the Karen National Union. However, these kinds of individual or group decisions by the Secretary of State cannot solve the problem for thousands of other refugees on hold overseas. The prospect of getting the U.S. Administration to provide a general waiver of the “material support” provisions for all refugees does not look good.
If something is not done legislatively to open the possibility for refugees and asylum seekers who are caught in this situation, the number of people on hold overseas and the number of asylum seekers deported will escalate dramatically in the next few months.
Refugee advocates are supporting efforts to find a legislative way to require the Secretary of State to certify which groups fall within the current law's catch-all definition of terrorist organization. (This would protect resistance groups that the U.S. supports.) They are also supporting an “involuntariness” exception to “material support.” (This would make an exception for refugees who are forced against their will.) They urge those persons concerned about the fair treatment of refugees who are inappropriately being lumped in with supporters of terrorists to contact their Senators and Representative to express concern.
A sample letter follows.
The entire story is published at The HinzSight Report
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
Starbucks coffee cups are dangerous, but
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
The HinzSight Report
The Minority Report
Race 4 2008
because of the morality of the matter (the immorality of betrayal), but also beacuse of the issues of deterrance of enemies and trust of allies going forward.
amen pagar
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
Starbucks: Coffee, good. Cups, bad, but
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
and pagar too. They are a brave people and many have died for us, yet we cast them aside like yesterdays newspaper.
Good post GC, good one!
Managing Editor
All the "elite" units in the US armed forces take pride in the fact that they refuse to leave one of their own on the battlefield if it is at all possible to not do so. In SF, we also take pride in the fact that we don't leave our compatriots there either.
The US government, at the behest of a Democratic Congress, left-leaning press, left-leaning academe and often cowardly student body, abandoned and stopped funding the defense of those we had sworn allegience-to. It was shameful. In SF, when the government cut off support, we refused-to. When SF soldiers told "yard" and Hmong warriors that we would not abandon them, we did so face to face.... not by implication. Our individual honor was on the line, no matter what the position of the US government became. I'm proud to say we are keeping our promise.
I'm a member of the Special Forces Association (SFA). The SFA, has worked actively over the past thirty years with a couple of other SF organizations (The Mike Force Association and the Special Operations Association) to bring whole clans of Montagnards and Hmongs (the indig that worked primarily with SF during the Viet Nam conflict) out from under the yoke of Communism to the US, and integrate them into US society.
Unfortunately, once here, they didn't integrate very well. Though fiercely loyal, they are a tribal, backwards people whjo have significant problems adapting to modern American society.
So as a final gesture of our loyalty (and generally WITHOUT US government help, thank you) The SFA worked with an another SF organisation called Save The Montagnard Peoples (STMP) to relocated them onto several hundred acres of land land in North Carolina in the Smokey Mountains that we purchased for them and gave to them. We similarly purchased land in Arkansas and Missouri to help relocate groups of Hmongs.
I recently recieved a letter (see below) attesting to our most recent efforts on behalf of our combatant compatriots. In SF, we don't foget who our enemies are, but neither do we forget our friends.
I'm pretty proud of this.
LETTER I RECEIVED JUST BEFORE THIS PAST CHRISTMAS FOLLOWS:
Hello all and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
This Christmas is one of the all times best for the United Dega Asheboro Project. You ask yourself Why? Well it is simple THE LAND IS PAID OFF! That’s right it is paid off in three years, two months and twenty-seven days.
Richard (Bear) Shorten paid off the balance of the mortgage in honor of the 1st. Special Forces Group Airborne the “ First in Asia “ boys. All members past present and future. What this man has done is above and beyond the call of brotherly love for the Montagnards and an example to us all.
The land being paid off is a promise fulfilled to the Montagnards, a promise that many of you helped to get started and continued to support over the years. The land project is the future for the Montagnards, it guarantees the survival of a noble culture and will leave a living monument to all Montagnards and Special Forces Veterans.
The fight doesn’t stop here, we still have to hustle for grants, build a cultural center, finish the longhouse and establish the summer camp for the children to keep them proud of their heritage instead of being influenced by peer groups that do not necessarily set a good example. Now they own their land now they have roots in America.
All goals will be accomplished one at a time and in a large part by the Montagnards themselves. One of my best friends and fellow Mike Force member Larry Pease called me last Sunday while I was heading to SFA Chapter 1-18 and made the most profound statement. Larry said, “ George what STMP, SFA, Mike Force Association and Special Operations Association are doing is not only fulfilling the phrase De Oppresso Liber but also saving an entire culture from extinction. I gave a lot of thought about what Larry said and I realized, he was right.
Many people made this happen and the members of STMP are very grateful. STMP did not do it, we were just the messengers. Delivering the message that we did not forget neither their sacrifice nor their loyalty.
There are many other heroes in this story this week. There are men supporting Mike Linnanes fund raising to pay off the Mortgage who donated their money anyway because they know others goals have to be met. There is Sunny Hewitt who donated a beautiful GMC Yukon for STMP to use. Carl and Jeannie Reagan who have donated 5000 dollars towards the cultural center, Jim and Sandra Hetrick who donated 5000 dollars today to help move the cause forward, Zipper Allen has pleged 5000 dollars as well Many others have donated that Mike has listed along with Arch Gammons STMP treasurer. I cannot thank all of you enough and there will be a plaque with all names of you who have donated so selflessly in the Cultural Center.
Operation save Christmas V is a complete success in large part to SFA Chapter 1-18. You folks met the needs of the children this year without a doubt! For those of you who do not know, 1-18 held a toy drive that filled a sixteen-foot tandem axle trailer with five-foot sidewalls full of toys, dishes, baby clothes, educational supplies and more. SOA has been shipping in literally hundreds of boxes of clothes for the new folks and we have been able to meet every need.
2006 will go down in the books as a winning year for the Montagnard People because of the effort of so many of you. I work almost every day with the Montagnards or on some problem for them; I don’t get to come up for air long enough to see what we have accomplished. Today when I watched Gary Betterton President of Special Forces Association present a carved water buffalo to Minh Pang Ting president of United Dega Asheboro project; and observed the look in the eyes of the people for the gift I could see the love and respect they have for Special Forces.
The Montagnards have a phrase which is “ We will speak of you in our campfires for three hundred years” This is their highest honor the give to a hero. Yel Rmah and Minh both stated that phrase today and ask that I pass it along to all of you. The last act for the year will be coming from Rich Crawford and SFA chapter 60. Rich has set STMP up to receive his portion of the proceeds from the sale of a property in Florida. Rich and chapter 60 have bought boxes to put fifteen thousand pounds of oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines in. General Davis is furnishing ground transportation of the fruit to the Asheboro project for distribution to the Montagnard churches.
I look back on 2003 when I went to SFA headquarters and ask for help; I never imagined in my wildest imagination so much would happen so quick. I come from Missouri the” Show Me” state and am happy to say you have “Shown Me”.
Thank You All
Merry Christmas
George Clark
President STMP
Further Information on the STMP and ways to help can be found at:
http://www.montagnards.org/
_______________________
De Oppresso Liber - SF Motto
Win their hearts and minds. If that doesn't work, grab them bt the ba**s, and their hearts and minds will follow. - SF Mantra
Democrats on Iraq: "We don't want to win. We just want to quit."
Hanoi Jane and Co. gave the gift that just keeps on giving.
Today they are trying to relive their finest hour.
generated over 40 letters to the editor, with about half upset dems stillin denial. I have converted a few
link
http://gamecock.townhall.com/g/06ecf4e5-cd1a-48a3-9f37-7fee599584f8
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
Starbucks: Coffee, good. Cups, bad, but
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
Dems might be like that, but some some are so loyal to iraq, they are willing to wait the next 10 years, and another trillion dollars of US tax money for iraq to stand up. Perhaps if your that loyal to iraq you should move there.
That after 10 years, or just 4 in this case, we should stop being loyal to friends and family members as well? "Well, Johnny, I know you're my brother and all, and I know you were abused as a kid, but I am going to cut you free if you can't stand up on your own 2 feet and defend yourself from your abusers who just so happen to work with you..."
"Well, son, Im not going to talk to the principal anymore if you can't learn to stand up and fight those bullies who pick on you at school..."
etc, etc, etc...
Is that the position you would take?
There are those who look on Dresden and Tokyo and Hiroshima as some of the greatest evils ever perpetrated by man. I look on them and thank the perpetrators for saving millions.
While its hard to disagree with the sentiments expressed here, I do think that there should be greater accountability in terms of the actual settlement of refugees here. There is something wrong with how, for example, Senator Brownback can work so tirelessly to show how good a guy he is in the settlement of refugees in the United States...as long as its not in Kansas! Its easy to be compassionate when you will bear no cost or make no sacrifice.
Before a large settlement of people is made, perhaps it should require the approval of both US Senators from the state in question, and the Congressmen from any district involved.
One of the best reasons for sticking it out in Iraq is to prevent an exodus of refugees coming to the United States. Of course, the problem wouldn't be the actual refugees so much as it would be the new threads of explosive extended family chain migration they would open up. Of course, that's all the more reason to reform our (extended) family-reunification based immigration laws, but that's probably a pipe dream at this point.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
Starbucks: Coffee, good. Cups, bad, but
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
regarding Special Forces Association, Mike Force Accosiation, and Special Operations Association efforts at re-settling Hmong and Montagnard in the US. See also the following website:
It's just a shame that the efforts that are being made are being made by soldier organizations rather than government.... but then again, it's always the soldiers who get the job done.
_______________________
De Oppreoos Liber - SF Motto
Win their hearts and minds. If that doesn't work, grab them by the ba**s, and their hearts and minds will follow. - SF Mantra
Who paid the price of doing the right thing (or the wrong thing for that matter). Always will be...
There are those who look on Dresden and Tokyo and Hiroshima as some of the greatest evils ever perpetrated by man. I look on them and thank the perpetrators for saving millions.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
Starbucks: Coffee, good. Cups, bad, but
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
From :http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/304344_refugees20.html
...Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, the Wisconsin Republican who was a main driving force behind both the Patriot Act and the Real ID Act as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, declined an interview request. Through a spokesman, Rajesh Bharwani, he said: "The laws are fine. If the Department of Justice and other agencies are overstepping their bounds, then the courts will stop them."...
Jim doesn't sound too awfully concerned with the plight of the Hmong.
What's up with that?
the Hmong in the first place in 1975 made it a political issue last year. That is no excuse though. amen
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
Starbucks: Coffee, good. Cups, bad, but
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
you know my feelings on this issue. There is quite a bit of YouTube video out there on this subject. I found one that is rather interesting but it is not offered as an embed so you can click here to see the video.
___________________________________________________________
Thou art the Great Cat, the avenger of the Gods, and the judge of words...-Inscription on the Royal Tombs at Thebes
De Opresso Liber
or Hmong are merely one of a group of SE Asian minorities who worked for us and paid the price. Many if not most of the Mnong are in Laos. However, their cultural neighbors in Vietnam have reportedly (and I believe) been the victems of a continuing genocide.
I lived and worked for over three years with the Hre, Cua, Bru, Stieng, Rhade and even once was able to see and touch a highland Katu. These are all S. Vietnamese minorities and are by far a very short list of them.
Our betrayal of these wonderful people far exceeds Congress' betrayal of us at the time. At least we got out - most of us, amyway
And check out this website: http://www.montagnards.org/
Most folks, and even a lot of former SF are not aware of post-Viet Nam SFA, MFA, and SOA efforts on behalf of the Hmong and Yards.
_______________
De Oppresso Liber. - SF Motto
Win their hearts and minds. If that doesn't work, grab them by the ba**s, and their hearts and minds will follow. - SF Mantra
your wisdom on all issues.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
Starbucks: Coffee, good. Cups, bad, but
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
De Opresso Liber
Outstanding posting!
I agree with your perception of the lack of knowledge re: the Dega and Mnong. We need to find ways to get the message out a little wider, quicker and deeper.
A discussion on RedState is an excellent beginning.
Good Work!
There is some consolation in the fact that things are slowly getting better even for the minorities that suffered so greatly iimmediately after the fall of South Vietnam. Not much consolation, granted, and not Much better, but at least they aren't being actively hunted anymore...
There are those who look on Dresden and Tokyo and Hiroshima as some of the greatest evils ever perpetrated by man. I look on them and thank the perpetrators for saving millions.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
Starbucks: Coffee, good. Cups, bad, but
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
the sorriest residues of our war in Vietnam was not taking care of the local peoples who supported the American troops when we were there. There is no way of knowing how many more American deaths would have occurred if not for these brave friends. Every one deserves our help.
The same thing will happen in Iraq and Afghanistan if we are forced to pull out without leaving a secure country behind. People who befriend America die when our enemies are allowed to win.
Thanks for bring this subject up again, Gamecock.