Deportation negotiations may put some of Wisconsin's Hmong refugees at risk

NOW: Deportation negotiations may put some of Wisconsin’s Hmong refugees at risk
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Updated: 3:24 p.m. on Feb. 13, 2020

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin responded to the deportation proposal of Hmong refugees and immigrants in Wisconsin Wednesday, expressing support for the Hmong community. 

On Thursday, Governor Evers formally requested Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Trump administration to reconsider, saying in part:

"Our state has a rich history of opening its doors to people of all backgrounds, experiences and walks of life. These nearly 50,000 Hmong Wisconsinites are our neighbors, family members and veterans. They have long been an important part of Wisconsin's fabric and economy."

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Posted: 8:18 p.m. on Feb. 12, 2020

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- The State Department is negotiating to deport some Hmong immigrants and refugees. 

More than 50,000 Hmong live in Wisconsin. 

"We're being uprooted here in Wisconsin and being thrown back into a third world country that we're not familiar with," said Kou Vang, president of the Hmong American Fox Valley Partnership. 

The Hmong were forced to flee southeast Asia in the 60's and 70's because of their support for the U.S. during the Vietnam War.

The State Department wants to send back Hmong who pose a threat to the community and those with final orders of removal.

"The ones that are in danger of being deported, they've been here for a long time. America is all that they know. Wisconsin is all that they know. For vast majority of them, Fox Valley is all that they know."

Senator Ron Johnson responded to the deportation proposal, expressing his support for the Hmong community.

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