There is a very sparse literature on the distinct named cultural groupsthat migrated from Southeast Asia to the USA in recent years, especially onthe elderly. People aged 60 or more years from one specific group, Iu-Mienrefugees primarily from the highlands of Laos, are discussed here, through:(a) a review of available information about the traditional roles of olderpeople and adjustment to life in the USA, and (b) a household survey of onecommunity of Iu-Mien in Merced, California. Older people comprise a largerthan expected proportion (7%) of the Iu-Mien community. The largehouseholds remain traditional in composition with many older men acting aspatriarchs to several generations of lineal kin. Women, who are usuallywidows, tend to live with the families of sons or sons-in-law.Intergenerational disaffection has been reported in the literature, in partdue to the status losses by older people and role reversals so common amongrefugees.