Speech #1040192551

Mr. Chairman I rise today In support of an amendment I drafted to address a fundamental problem being experienced by legal U.S. residents. the Hmong. This measure would expedite the naturalization of Hmong people who served in Special Guerrilla Forces assisting the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. My amendment corrects a serious problem affecting Hmong people In the United States today who served alongside United States soldiers in Southeast Asia. It expedites the naturalization of aliens who served In these units in Laos and their spouses or widows by waiving the language requirement and the residency requirement aliens normally must meet. These two significant barriers to citizenship today affect the Hmong in a unique manner. From 1960 to 1975 Hmong people of all ages fought and died alongside United States soldiers in units recruited. trained. and funded by the CIA. During the war. between 10.000 and 20.000 Hmong tragically were killed in combat and as the conflict resulted in a bitter conclusion. 100.000 Hmong had to flee to refugee camps to survive the persecution and retribution that surely would have followed. The Hmong stood loyally by the United States during the long bitter course of the Vietnam War. but because the Hmong did not serve In regular United States military units. they are not eligible for expedited naturalization as other uniformed U.S. veterans and others may be. The Vento amendment would remedy this problem and inequity. Current law permits aliens or noncitizen nationals who served honorably during World War I. World War II. the Korean conflict. and the Vietnam war to be naturalized regardless of age. period of residence or physical presence in the United States. In other words. there is established precedent for modifying naturalization requirements for U.S. military service by nonU.S. citizens. In fact. Congress included provisions expediting the naturalization of World War II Filipino Scouts during consideration of the 1990 immigration bill. My amendment would continue our long tradition of recognizing the service of those who come to the aid of the United States in times of war. Ironically. most past conflicts did not preclude the nonnational United States service persons from returning to their homeland. so their plight. in most cases. is not as desperate as the Hmong involvement in a conflict with a difficult result. The percentage of Hmong who served in the Special Guerrilla Hmong units who have achieved United States citizenship is very low in great part today because the Hmong have found passing the citizenship test difficult. By waiving the language requirement my amendment would lift the greatest obstacle the Hmong face in becoming American citizens. The late arrival of some Hmong who have often served 10 to 15 years in the Hmong unit and then have spent another 10 or even 20 years in Asian refugee camps should not now have a 5year residency requirement. hence the Vento amendment waives this proviso. I want to emphasize that my amendment does not open new immigration channels nor does it confer veterans status on Hmong patriots. Those who served in the Special Guerrilla units will not be made eligible for veterans benefits under my amendment. As I mentioned earlier in my statement. Congress has included provisions for other nonnationals. the Filipino Scouts. In omnibus immigration legislation as recently as 1990. Given the heavy legislative agenda we face for the remainder of the 104th Congress. this will almost certainly be our best opportunity to consider this necessary but modest effort to recognize the service of the Hmong veterans who fought so bravely and sacrificed so much for America. The practical Impact is the citizenship and privilege to participate in our U.S. democracyto have the right of preference in immigration and family reunificationa significant and humanitarian impact. But. In my minds eye. of equal value is the United States Congress and the United States Governments recognition and the honor we bestow on the Hmong patriots who lost so many lives in Southeast Asia and saved many American lives.