As the Vietnam War raged on, a United States-backed operation known as the Secret War was happening in Laos. America recruited tens of thousands of Hmong people, including children, to fight as soldiers for the United States, protecting American interests. When the U.S. pulled out of Laos, the Hmong faced intense persecution so many fled the country. In 1975, the first Hmong refugees were resettled in Minnesota and other parts of the country. "Hmong in Minnesota: 50 Years of Resilience" premiere