3 Hmong Men Missing

Three Hmong men from St. Paul have been missing in Laos since August 25. The missing men have been identified as Hakit Yang, 29; Cong Shi Neng Yang, 31; and Trillion Yunhaison, 41. According to one relative, the men were sightseeing in Laos and looking into opportunities for starting small businesses.

Relatives and supporters rallied outside of the state capitol along with State Rep. Cy Thao and State Senator Mee Moua pleading for their safe return. Family members heard from Yunhaison who was able to call home on August 26, to say they had been arrested. Laos' government has denied the men were detained and hasn't responded to repeated requests for information from the U.S. government. KFAI interviewed several Hmong community leaders, who shared their thoughts about the incident and how they've confronted the continuing fear of persecution in Laos as American citizens.

Agatha Vaaler submitted this story on September 5, 2007.