Hmong Immigrants in Minnesota
By Giana Roberts
Push and Pull Factors
Push factors
- Laos is a super poor nation
- They didn't like the new communist government
- Electricity is limited
- Job opportunities
- Freedom from the government
- Cultural expression
Ravenstein's Laws of Migration
Laws that do apply to the Hmong
- Migrants traveling long distances usually settle in urban areas
- Most migration is rural to urban
- Most international migrants are young males
- Migrating in steps
- Counter flow
- Short distance
Over 60,000 Hmong are living in Minnesota and half of them live in St Paul making it the largest urban population of Hmong in the world
Where the Hmong are Working
The Hmong are starting there own businesses and bringing a lot of money to Minnesota. Hmong relatives often pool their resources and money to acquire homes,cars, and businesses.
Challenges For the Hmong in Minnesota
It is a challenge to find a balance between old and new because older generations of hmong immigrants are seeking to preserve their traditional culture and their children who are adopting American customs aren't as “traditional" anymore