Refugees From Laos Who Have Lived in Thailand Come To State
WARWICK, R.I. A group of refugees from Laos who have been living in Thailand are arriving in Rhode Island. The Laotian and Hmong refugees were U.S. allies during the conflict in Laos, a spillover of the Vietnam War. They're among the last refugees from the conflict.
There was heavy recruitment of Hmong ethnic group to help the C.I.A. fight its so-called "secret war" in Laos.
After the Communists seized power in 1975, many Hmong fled for United Nations-run refugee camps in Thailand.
The group arriving here stayed on outside the camps, on the grounds of a Buddhist temple in Thailand. The refugees from the temple were recently granted asylum.
A ceremony to welcome the refugees and discuss their situation is being held today. Many are coming here to meet family already living in Rhode Island.
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