Community was central to the Lao and Korean elders during their migration and resettlement in the United States, making relocation, housing, and employment possible. Participants maintained deep connections to their cultural roots while adapting to American life, often through community, which consisted of family, friends, Buddhist temples (for the Lao), Christian churches (for the Koreans), and other Lao and Korean networks. However, participants sometimes felt ill at ease within their communities. Some Lao elders carried the burden of past traumas from the Communist takeover in Laos, resulting in caution toward others, while some Korean elders viewed their community as overly traditionalist and restrictive. All participants at times felt like outsiders in broader society, facing prejudice or marginalization in predominantly non-Asian environments. These experiences underscore the critical role of community in providing support and fostering a sense of belonging, while also highlighting the challenges it may present.
Community was central to the experiences of both Lao and Korean elders during their migration and resettlement in the United States. For the Lao participants, connections to family and friends already established Stateside were crucial for accessing sponsorship and relocation benefits under the Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act. Similarly, most Korean participants relied on family sponsorship, a key factor under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, to enter the U.S. These community ties additionally provided essential logistical support, including assistance with housing and employment.
Our participants emphasized their deep connection to cultural roots and their desire to preserve these traditions while adapting to their new lives in America. Community support played a crucial role in achieving this balance. Participants were able to connect with others in the Lao and Korean communities through word of mouth, which helped them even reconnect with acquaintances from back home. Many also found significant support through Buddhist temples (for the Lao participants) and Christian churches (for the Korean participants), as well as community organizations. These sources offered resources, spiritual and emotional support, a connection to cultural values and customs, and opportunities for engagement with broader American society.
Despite strong support networks, participants felt a persistent sense of outsider status or isolation, even after decades in the U.S. This feeling was often heightened by experiences of being unwelcome or othered in predominantly White or other non-Asian environments. Additionally, the Lao elders often carried the burden of past experiences—such as the mistrust and fear that pervaded the Communist takeover in Laos—fostering a cautious attitude towards others, even within their own community. Some of the Korean elders, on the other hand, distanced themselves to varying degrees from their community (including places of worship), perceiving them as overly traditionalist, insular, and/or corrupt. Despite these issues, participants universally desired recognition and progress for their respective Lao and Korean communities.
