Since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, many Laotian people have made their way to the U.S. Many of the refugees who came to the U.S. after the war, especially the Hmong ethnic group, left to escape political persecution and economic instability, but many Laotian immigrants have come to the U.S. since then. Whether you come here to seek new opportunities, reuniting with family, or any other reasons, you are sure to find community here in Massachusetts. There are currently over 200,000 Laotian Americans in the U.S. and around 5,000 living in Massachusetts. There are thriving Laotian communities in Lowell (home to Wat Buddhabhavana, a Laotian temple), Woburn, Worcester, Springfield, and many towns in Greater Boston.
Although relations between the U.S. and Laos were turbulent after 1975, full diplomatic relations were restored in 1992 and are continuing to grow and evolve. Laotian Americans are working in a variety of different fields such as health care, education, small business ownership, social services, tech, engineering, and more.
If you need help immigrating to MA from Laos, contact Boston immigration attorney Giselle M. Rodriguez. Giselle helps clients with the full range of immigration challenges, from visas to citizenship. She works with clients throughout Greater Boston and Massachusetts. Contact Giselle today to discuss your case or read on to find out more about protecting your immigration status in the United States.
Community Resources for Laotian Immigrants in Massachusetts
One of the most notable community organizations in Massachusetts for Laotian immigrants is Wat Buddhaabhavana, also known as The Laotian Temple of Massachusetts. It was founded in the mid-1990s by a small Laotian community in Lowell. If you are seeking mental or physical healthcare information in the Lao language, you can go to Selected Patient Information in Asian Languages (SPIRAL), developed by non-profit health organizations and organized by Tufts University.
Massachusetts has multiple organizations that help serve Southeast Asian Communities and Asian communities as a whole such as the Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts (SEACMA), and the Asian Community Development Corporation in Boston. There are also national organizations that support and protect the Laotian community in America including the Laotian American Society (LAS) and the Laotian American National Alliance (LANA).
Processing Times in Boston
If you plan to apply for a visa, allow plenty of time for the application process. Visa processing times can range from 7 to 24 months. If you need your visa in time to meet a school or work deadline, it’s important to work closely with my office in advance to ensure your visa will be processed in time.
As of May 2025, the average processing time for naturalization applications is 8-9 months. For green card applications, the processing time is slightly higher, with estimates falling at 14-15 months. Wait times across the country are generally long due to limited staffing and delays. While these wait times may seem discouraging, we are there for our clients through every step of the process.
Unsure which type of visa or status to pursue? I can help. Contact me to discuss your situation and goals, and I will assist you in selecting the pathway that best suits you.
Past and Current Clients from Laos
Last year, we worked with a Laotian family on an adjustment of status application. We worked with the applicant, a longtime resident of Massachusetts who has a work visa, on an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence of Adjust Status. The applicant qualified for a green card due to her son’s status as a US citizen. A few months after submitting the initial application, USCIS issued the applicant an RFE, or Request for Evidence, due to a joint sponsor’s missing tax documents. We quickly resolved the RFE by submitting the necessary documents and a cover letter explaining the circumstances of the joint sponsor.
If you are currently in the US on a work visa, but have a US citizen child who is at least 21 years old, you may meet the requirements to submit a green card application
If you are curious about this process or would like help submitting an application, reach out to our office to book a consultation.