Negotiations by the Trump administration that could result in the deportation of thousands of Hmong residents will be the topic of discussion on “The West Side” at 10 a.m. Friday (Apr. 17) on The Ideas Network stations of Wisconsin Public Radio: WHWC-FM (88.3) Menomonie-Eau Claire and WRFW-FM (88.7) River Falls.
The program will also feature an update from Brian Kaczmarski, chair of the Northwest Wisconsin Healthcare Emergency Readiness Coalition, on the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to western Wisconsin. Kaczmarski is the director of the Polk County Health Department.
Host Dean Kallenbach will be joined by Mai Zong Vue, president of the board of directors of the Hmong Institute, and John Lor, a member of the Eau Claire City Council. The guests will discuss reaction within western Wisconsin’s Hmong community to news that broke earlier this year regarding the possible deportations.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met in January with the foreign minister of Laos, seeking to allow for deportation of Hmong residents who are not U.S. citizens and have committed crimes or have deportation orders against them.
The program will also include an interview with U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), who is supporting efforts in Congress to prevent such deportations.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the beginning of what is known as the Hmong Diaspora, when Hmong people fled persecution from the communist regime in Laos after the Hmong fought with American soldiers in the Vietnam conflict.
“The West Side” is broadcast each Friday at 10 a.m. on these two Ideas Network stations and via an online live stream on 88.7 WRFW-FM via wrfw887.com/listen-live.html. Listeners may call in with questions and comments during the program at (800) 228-5615.
Archives of “The West Side” are available at wpr.org/programs/west-side.