Hmong Thai Refugees Start New Life In U.S.

FRESNO,CA. - AUGUST 25: Va Vang (R) and her mother Kia Her wait to have her daughter Bao seen at the emergency room at the Community Medical Center August 25, 2004 in Fresno, California. The family arrived on August 23 and have been getting settled in a new country. Thousands of Hmong refugees who fled Laos for Thailand 30 years ago are preparing for a new life in the U.S. after the U.S government launched a resettlement program for up to 15,000 Hmong living in the refugee camp northeast of Bangkok. The movement of the Hmong from the camp to their new home, including medical screening, and necessary cultural orientation classes, is facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The Hmong, who often live on the margins of society in Thailand since fleeing there after fighting for the U.S. in Laos during the Vietnam war, have had many problems with food, health and education.. Since the migration started, over 1,500 Hmong have departed so far to the U.S. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)