Where do Hmong refugees come to the US from?

The Hmong people originate from China, but many became refugees following the Vietnam War and the rise of communism in Laos. The communist regime in Laos began targeting the Hmong because of their support for US-backed forces during the war. In the aftermath of the war, many Hmong fled Laos and went to refugee camps in Thailand.

From these refugee camps, many made their way to the United States beginning in the late 1970s where they were resettled across the country. Minnesota, California, and Wisconsin are home to the largest concentration of Hmong in the US.