MinnPost: Franken speaks with repatriated Hmong in Laos, but says access was restricted

WASHINGTON — Sen. Al Franken met with a group of about 150 repatriated Hmong in Laos today in a village built by the Laotian government for them.

"I went there today to see their circumstances now," Franken said, and to "let them know that we in the United States care about their fate and their conditions." About 4,500 Hmong have been repatriated to Laos, despite concerns from many in Minnesota and other Hmong-heavy populations that they could face political persecution.

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