Iu Mien Americans are Americans, primarily Indochinese refugees, of Iu Mien descent, a subset of the Yao people. This group arrived from Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand in between the late 1970s to the early 1990s as the last wave of refugees post-Vietnam War, settling primarily along the West Coast of the United States. Classification The Iu Mien are under the "Yao" classification in China. It has become apparent that the term "Yao" is no more than a longstanding name used by host Chinese. These peoples traditionally do not call themselves "Yao" and not all "Yao" are Mien. The Republic of China made the name "Yao" official in 1954 by classification for government purposes. The classification associates minorities that may or may not have related ancestry. Although they share festivities of the same creation story, Panhu (Pien Hung), it is hard to determine what relations are beyond that fact. Through recent contacts, some spoke the same language as Mien Americans while others did not, with unintelligible conversation, clearly distinct cultures, food, dress and more. There continue to be various names under the "Yao" classification for these differences, named by the Chinese, such as: Bunu, Dongnu, Panyao, etc. It is extremely difficult to find history behind Mien origins when the term "Yao" is used. Many sources (both Western and Chinese) describe the "Yao" history, yet the particular language and people is never defined. Wiki History Iu Mien American ancestors first migrated out of China during the early 1700s and into Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. Various sources have conflicting information about where in China the Iu Mien originated. Some Iu Mien scriptures and stories state the Mien once lived in a place called “Qianjiadong” (translates into “Thousand Family Place”). The legend of the Qianjiadong says that there was only one way in and out of its peaceful and beautiful valley, through an inconspicuous cavern. This so-called homeland is said to have surrounding waterfalls and rivers, secluded from the outside world. While many doubt its actual existence, recent Chinese scholars have pointed to either current Hebei or Hunan provinces as Qianjiadong’s possible location. Parents of most first-generation Iu Mien Americans arrived in Laos and Thailand during the 1700s to 1800s. Reasons for this migration varied from political pressures to socio-economic ventures. They lived in Laos and Thailand peacefully until the Vietnam War. The “Secret War” As early as 1964, many families of Iu Mien