"Thousands of people fled Vietnam by boat after the war" (Olson).
Vietnamese Refugees in Iowa:
Ray's Humanitarian and Controversial Relocation
Vietnamese Flee Country
In April 1975, around 130,000 South Vietnamese fled to refugee camps in nearby countries. From there they were sent to other countries (Wang). The Vietnamese government strengthened security, forcing Vietnamese to leave by boat, where they faced storms, pirates, and drowning (Quinn).
"They would sail out into the South China Sea and try to make it to nearby countries like Thailand, Malaysia, or Indonesia. Many drowned at sea. Others were robbed and murdered."
~ Ambassador Kenneth Quinn-Ray's Refugee Program Coordinator
President Ford's letter to U.S. Governors (Ford)
(“Amb. Quinn and Gov. Robert D. Ray Speak on Tai Dam People” )
"These people, if I understood correctly, were good working people, they were good moral people, they were good family people. And I didn’t want to spoil that. And I think if you get on welfare it’s very easy to have that change your lifestyle. And I didn’t want that to happen."
~ Iowa Governor Robert Ray- 1969-1983
In July 1975, Iowa governor Ray responded to Ford's letter by starting a campaign called the Governor’s Task Force for Indochinese Resettlement. In this campaign, Ray emphasized the need for the refugees’ help to be through the state’s employment service rather than the welfare department, because giving the refugees jobs would keep their strong work ethic and help increase Iowans' positive thinking towards the refugee program (Pathways).
Ray's Congressional testimony about Vietnamese resettlement ("Iowa Governor")