We, the undersigned, call on the President of the United States and federal authorities to immediately halt Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that are targeting Hmong families and traumatizing our communities.

The Hmong people are not strangers to America. During the Vietnam War, Hmong men and boys were recruited by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency to serve in what is now known as the “Secret War” in Laos. General Vang Pao was first recruited by CIA paramilitary officer William “Bill” Lair in the early 1960s to lead a Hmong guerrilla force on behalf of U.S. covert operations in Laos. The program later expanded under additional CIA officers, including the well-known operative Tony Poe, who trained and fought alongside Hmong during the Secret War.  They fought, gathered intelligence, rescued downed American pilots, and disrupted enemy supply lines — all at great personal cost. More than 135,000 civilians were killed because they stood with the United States. After the war, Hmong families were hunted and persecuted for their alliance with America. The United States then resettled many Hmong refugees as a matter of moral responsibility for their service and sacrifice. Our families rebuilt their lives here, becoming workers, homeowners, business owners, veterans, church members, and community leaders.

Recent immigration enforcement operations have raised serious concerns regarding compliance with constitutional protections, federal enforcement standards, and basic humanitarian obligations. In January 2026, during a large-scale ICE enforcement surge in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area, federal agents forcibly entered the residence of a naturalized U.S. citizen, Chongly Scott Thao , without confirming identity or legal status prior to arrest. Mr. Thao was handcuffed inside his home and removed outdoors into sub-zero winter conditions while inadequately clothed, in the presence of his minor grandchild. He was transported, fingerprinted, and only later released after agents confirmed his U.S. citizenship and no criminal history.

Community organizations have also documented street-level stops, neighborhood sweeps, and detentions without clear probable cause, particularly near schools and family residences. These practices contribute to fear, destabilization of communities, and retraumatization of refugees who already endured persecution and war.

The Hmong community is a vital part of the United States’ social and economic fabric. Approximately 330,000 Hmong Americans live across the country, contributing collectively over $2.4 billion in annual household income, and paying approximately $386 million in federal income taxes and $224 million in state and local taxes each year. Hmong-owned businesses exceed 9,000 nationwide, generating over $1 billion in annual sales, and supporting jobs, local economies, and cultural exchange. Hmong families are homeowners, consumers, workers, and civic leaders who contribute meaningfully to every community in which they reside.

We respectfully demand that the federal government:

Immediately suspend ICE raids and targeted enforcement actions in Hmong communities.
Ensure all enforcement respects constitutional rights, due process, and lawful warrants.
Establish protections for long-term residents, refugees, and individuals with significant family and community ties.
Engage directly with Hmong community leaders to develop humane, culturally informed immigration policies.
America asked the Hmong people to fight a secret war in service of U.S. interests. The debt of that alliance has not been fully repaid. We should not now repay sacrifice with fear, broken families, and forced removals.

We urge our government to choose compassion, justice, and historical responsibility.

Stop the raids. Protect our families. Honor America’s promise to its Hmong allies.

By: Hmong 18 Council