Resettlement in America Those who were lucky and had Church sponsorship, would come to this country and resettled their families. Since 1975, America opened its doors to these immigrants. Approximately 250,000 now reside in the U.S. Wisconsin has a rapidly increasing number of the Hmong and with the population of approximately 45,000, has become the third largest area of resettlement next to Minnesota and California. Adjustment to a highly technological society has been slow for these people who practiced slash and burn agriculture in their homeland. The Hmong language was first written in 1919 by missionaries making the vast majority of refugees illiterate in their own native tongue.
English skills are then more difficult to obtain.
Lack of marketable job skills compound the difficulties of assimilation. However, hope and hard work combine in these immigrants who consider their new home a land of opportunity. Gradually, their contribution to American culture includes a high value placed on family life and community, emphasis on education and leadership, delicious ethnic cuisine, and exquisite excellence in their unique textile arts. Each year a growing number of Hmong attend schools, graduating from high schools, vocational schools, colleges and universities. They gain skills and find employment.