Reps want State Department to help Hmong refugees

(08-01) 11:04 PDT Washington, CA (AP) --

Lawmakers from California and elsewhere want the Thai government to halt what they call the forced repatriation of Hmong refugees to Laos.

More than a dozen House members sent a letter to the State Department on Friday urging action in the wake of the repatriation in June of more than 800 ethnic Hmong back to communist Laos.

The U.N. refugee agency says at least some of the refugees appear to have been sent back against their will, in violation of basic human rights.

The Hmong fought alongside the U.S. in the Vietnam War. There are now large Hmong immigrant populations in California — particularly the state's Central Valley — as well as Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Supporters fear the Hmong would be persecuted in Laos.