Anti-terrorist legislation passed after 9-11, such as the Patriot Act and Real ID Act, has had the unintended side-effect of classifying the Hmong, and similar groups such as the Degar, as terrorists, making them ineligible for immigration to the USA. America, these are your old allies -- they had lived relatively peacefully before the Vietnam War and while the USA has done the right thing and brought many of the asylum-seekers to the USA before 9-11, America shouldn't abandon them now.

Indeed, instead of demanding that Laos respect the inalienable human rights of the Hmong, George W. Bush normalized trade with Laos in 2004. American taxpayer money also goes to Laos via development programs. America must set conditions on its economic aid in other nations.

Furthermore, American businesses must have moral standards and invest only in nations which meet them, for the dogma of true lassez-faire capitalism has been refuted; material comforts cannot come at the expense of our dignity, humanity, or environment. The "green money" movement is an example of this, in which American investors and consumers refuse to allow their money go to companies which engage in unacceptable practices. Consumers of developed nations, which live in comfort, have the means and obligation to find out which companies engage in fair and responsible practices and buy only from reputable companies, and to support legislation which requires companies to operate within our moral guidelines. Thankfully, a growing portion of the population would rather pay a few extra bucks for goods which allow them a clear conscience.

Americans need to write to their political representatives and let them know that it is unacceptable for the USA to turn its back on their proven allies, to bring those truly in need to America, and for the United States to use its influence to encourage Laos to allow the Hmong in the jungles to come out of hiding and to live peacefully in Laos. Without American and other third-party observers in Laos to observe a mass surrender, Laos may continue its campaign of revenge while spewing empty promises of peace. America needs to get Laos to agree to a Hmong amnesty plan and send officials there to demand Laos carry-through and does not kill the Hmong who try to come out of the jungles. Moreover, there needs to be severe consequences if Laos again acts in such a dishonorable fashion -- consequences America and other involved nations are prepared to exact, such as severe economic sanctions.