Speech #1050000433

Mr. Speaker. today I am introducing the Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act. which would ease naturalization requirements for the Hmong. of Laos. who fought alongside the United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam war. Hmong of all ages fought and died alongside U.S. soldiers. and as a result of the brave position they took and their loyalty to the United States. the Hmong. tragically. lost their homeland. Between 10.000 and 20.000 Hmong were killed In combat and over 100.000 had to flee to refugee camps to survive. Although it wasnt apparent then. their actions had a major impact on achieving todays global order and the positive changes of the past decade. Extreme sacrifices were made by those engaged in the jungles and the highlands. whether in uniform or In peasant clothing and for those whose homeland became the battlefield. For their heroic efforts. the LaoHmong veterans deserve this recognition and consideration. Many Hmong who survived the conflict were welcomed to the United States and today should be honored for the contributions they are making to our communities in my Minnesota district and to our Nation. Their success in rebuilding their families and communities in the United States stands as a tribute to their strength. but their cause would be greatly helped by passage of the legislation I am introducing today. the Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act. While it is clear that the Hmong served bravely and sacrificed dearly in the Vietnam war. many of those who did survive and made it to the United States. are separated from other family members and are having a difficult time adjusting to life in the United States. Fortunately. there Is something we can do to speed up the process of family reunification and ease the adjustment of the Hmong Into U.S. society. at no cost to the Federal Government. My legislation makes the attainment of citizenship easier for those who served in the special guerrilla units by waiving the English language test and residency requirement. The greatest obstacle for the Hmong in becoming a citizen Is passing the English test. Written characters for Hmong have only been introduced recently. and whatever changes most Hmong who served may have had to learn a written language were disrupted by the war. This bill would also vwdive the residency requirement for those who served in order to speed up the procens of family reunification. 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. There is a wellestablished precedent of modifying naturalization requirement for military service. recently reaffirmed by passage of legislation granting ciizenship to those who served in the Filipino Scouts during World War II. The Hmong stood by the United States at a crucial time. and that service deserves recognition. Today we should stand with the LaoHmong in their struggle to become citizens and to live a good life in our Nation.