Tuesday, September 20, 2005
A newly arrived refugee holds his grandniece as he waits for his baggage to arrive on the carousel, September 20, 2005.
Refugees Arriving at Fresno Yosemite International Airport
In the fall of 2005, new Hmong refugees arrived every Tuesday afternoon at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport, following a long journey from Ban Vinai Refugee Camp in Thailand. This page includes various families who were waiting to greet relatives and take them home. As the refugees walk out of the airport, they encounter both freedom and the uncertainty of a new life in a new country with different rules.
Visit the Airport Welcome gallery to see one sponsor family greeting newly arrived relatives at the airport. That family invited me to follow them home and photograph their welcoming celebration.
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New arrival refugees gather their baggage, September 20, 2005.
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These relatives have just been reunited after many years, September 20, 2005.
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A family of American Hmong poses for a group portrait with several of their newly arrived relatives, September 20, 2005.
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A newly arrived mother holds her baby, September 20, 2005.
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American Hmong anxiously await the arrival of their relatives, September 20, 2005.
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Waiting and watching the flight arrivals, September 20, 2005.
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Minutes seem like hours as American Hmong await the arrival of their relatives from Ban Vinai Refugee Camp in Thailand, September 20, 2005.
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An American Hmong man helps his newly arrived relative carry a box containing all of his belongings, September 20, 2005.
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American Hmong watch the concourse for the first appearance of their refugee relatives, September 20, 2005.
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Refugee baggage tells the story of their long Journey from Thailand to Fresno, September 20, 2005.
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After more than 25 hours in planes and airports, new Hmong refugees step out into Central Valley sunlight, September 20, 2005.
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New Hmong refugees head for the airport parking lot to join their American relatives, September 20, 2005.
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New Hmong refugees take their first steps toward freedom, September 20, 2005.
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Refugees and their relatives push heavy baggage toward an uncertain future, September 20, 2005.
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Decades of confinement in a Thai refugee camp and a very long series of flights have taken a toll on this woman, September 20, 2005.
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A refugee and her American relative share the burden of heavy luggage, September 20, 2005.
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A happy greeting between relatives, September 20, 2005.
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Tying down family members’ luggage, September 20, 2005.
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New arrival refugee seated in her relatives’ modern vehicle, an unfamiliar experience, September 20, 2005.
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New refugees continue to stream out of the Fresno Yosemite International Airport, September 20, 2005.
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A happy arrival for these refugees after their long journey , September 20, 2005.
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An emotional reunion in the airport parking lot, September 20, 2005.
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An emotional reunion continues in the airport parking lot, September 20, 2005.
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A daughter is introduced to her aunt, September 20, 2005.
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A new arrival refugee is greeted by Chee Lee, a highly respected Fresno shaman. Lee is a friend, but not a relative, of the woman’s family, September 20, 2005.
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An American Hmong woman greets a nephew who has just arrived from Thailand, September 20, 2005.
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A new arrival refugee fights back tears of joy as she steps out of the airport, September 20, 2005.
