Minnesota Immigrant Oral Histories

Hmong

Seng Yang riding his first bicycle, St. Paul, 1980. MNHS Photo Collection.

As of 2008 Minnesota was home to 49,000 Hmong, one of the largest Hmong communities in the United States. More Hmong live in the Twin Cities than in any other urban area in the United States. Originally from Laos, the Hmong supported American troops during the Vietnam War. Beginning in 1976 and continuing in five waves until 2004, most Hmong have come to the United States as political refugees. The Hmong have strong kinship and clan ties. Many who originally were resettled in other areas chose to move to Minnesota to be close to family members and other relatives.

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