Vietnamese Refugees in Iowa:
Ray's Humanitarian and Controversial Relocation
Diplomacy and Debate
"From 1975 to 1976, the President used what is called the 'parole authority' to admit all of the refugees into the United States. During an emergency situation where several hundred thousand people were being evacuated from a country that was at war, very few of them had passports and none had any way to go to an embassy and apply for a visa. Understanding that situation, the President authorized the Attorney General at the Department of Justice to grant permission to all of the refugees to enter the United States and to remain here indefinitely under this blanket parole authority."
~ Ambassador Kenneth Quinn- Ray's Refugee Program Coordinator
Governor Ray used diplomacy while resettling the refugees in Iowa, helping the Tai Dam, influencing governing officials to accept the Vietnamese, and negotiating for a revised refugee law.
"The 'Boat People' were saved thanks to Governor Robert Ray's great moral leadership."
~ Ambassador Kenneth Quinn- Ray's Refugee Program Coordinator
(IowaPublicTelevision)
"Iowans were also being impacted by the farm crisis at the time and there was much uncertainty. For the most part, once the refugees arrived Iowans opened their homes and communities to support the refugees and over time it has been viewed as a very positive effort."
~ Billie Ray- Governor Ray's wife
Along with the Tai Dam and Vietnamese, Cambodians, Hmong, and Laotians also started resettling in Iowa. This caused debate amongst Iowans. The Southeast Asians reminded many of disagreements caused by the Vietnam War. People also believed refugees would take jobs and resources away from Iowans (Walsh). Ray received multiple angry letters from people claiming this issue (Pedersen).
Letter to Governor Ray by an Iowan (Knode)
(Pedersen)
“Half our friends welcomed refugees and the other half still had a lot of animosity towards Vietnamese and the war.”
~ Dwight Frideres- Vietnam veteran and Vietnamese refugee sponsor
According to a 1979 Iowa poll, 51 percent of citizens disapproved of refugee resettlement, while 40 percent approved. The poll also found that one of ten people thought the nation should increase the number of refugees accepted. One of three believed that no more refugees should be admitted (Pedersen).
"There is no way I can describe the misery and human suffering and anguish of these people. We can never live with a clear conscience if we turn our backs on dying human beings who cry out for a touch of life."
~ Iowa Governor Robert Ray- 1969-1983
(Pedersen)
(Pedersen)
(Thailand Trip Convinces Ray Refugee Decision Correct)
"Governor Ray took this picture while visiting the Sa Kaeo Refugee Camp in Thailand" (Walsh).
"Iowans expressed worry that refugees would come and take jobs that Iowans should fill. Some would write letters to Governor Ray stating this concern."
~ Ambassador Kenneth Quinn- Ray's Refugee Program Coordinator
Letter supporting Vietnamese refugees (Colton)
Letter concerning Tai Dam refugees (Stuhr)