WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) today sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, urging the Secretary to immediately cease efforts to deport Hmong people living in the United States. The letter was co-signed with Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04) and Senator Tammy Baldwin.

“As members of Congress for the state of Wisconsin, we will not stand for this Administration’s blatant racism against the 49,000 members of the Hmong community living across our state,” said Rep. Pocan. “I refuse to let our friends and neighbors be deported to a country that too many of them fled as refugees. We will not allow this administration to unilaterally deport an ethnic community whenever they see fit. Wisconsin is their home and it will remain their home.”

“Trump has launched an agenda rooted in fear, xenophobia, and paranoia against immigrant families,” said Rep. Gwen Moore. “This Administration’s decision to deport thousands of Hmong people hits Milwaukee particularly hard. The Milwaukee area has the fourth largest population of Hmong people in the country, many of whom were admitted as refugees after the end of the Vietnam War. In the mid-1970’s, many families fled persecution, hardship and oppression in Laos and started a new life in Wisconsin. Deportation would not only be dangerous for them, but also isolating for those who have known no other home than this country.”

The full letter is available to view here.

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