Faith groups in United States are lobbying for allowing in more asylum seekers from Syria, and are trying to fight against the opposition posed by political leaders at federal and state levels.
Several lawmakers in Congress have called to cease the ongoing process of resettling Syrian refugees in US, while 31 governors have said they will not permit asylum to Syrians in the aftermath of November 13 Paris attacks that killed 130 people.
A bill blocking Syrian and Iraqi refugees passed with 289-137 votes in the House of Representatives on November 19. It will be introduced in the Senate after the Thanksgiving. The Obama Administration has promised to veto the legislation, if passed.
The religious organizations are reaching out to people, making
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They called for countering the hostility for the refugees through efforts at the local levels.
"The webinars are ideal tools for discussion groups, adult forums, and as a basis for preaching points," said a publication hosted by Episcopal Church.
After the Paris attacks, the ISIS threatened that their next target would be New York and Washington, even as it was earlier reported that some of the terrorists behind the Paris mayhem slipped into Europe amid refugees.
According to a recent online poll by NBC News, 56 percent of Americans want to ban Syrian refugees from entering US.
Linda Hartke, President of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service said in her blog said that Americans need to stand for those who victims of the destructive civil war in Syria.
"To close the door on resettling Syrian refugees would be nothing less than signing a death warrant for tens of thousands of families fleeing for their very lives. As Christians, as Americans, and as global citizens - we must choose to stand for hope and life. We are a nation and people that stand up to those who slaughter innocents. We stand with the most vulnerable who seek safety and a future. And we stand for
U.S. immigration law is very complex, and there is much uncertainty as to how it works. The Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA), the body of law governing current immigration policy, provides for an annual worldwide limit of 675,000 permanent immigrants, with certain exceptions for close family members ("How the United States Immigration System Works: A Fact Sheet"). Around the world there are so many immigrants/refugees who are in the hunt for a fitter life. Some come from places where civil war occurs or some suffer economically trying to support their family. Knowing the fact that they are desperate to seek for a better life, the best option is to migrate to the U.S, the land of opportunities. The problem lies in the migration to the U.S. What are the quotas for new immigrants arriving to the U.S? What are the eligibility requirements to becoming a permanent citizen in the U.S? With much inquiry, this topic has become very intriguing. What people must understand is that
Empathy is not always easy to achieve. Currently as a nation we are debating whether or not we should allow the Syrian refugees into our country. After the attack on Paris and the ISIS threat against America next, it is easy to see why Americans would not want to let Syrian refugees into our country. It is a difficult decision to make, especially since most of the refugees are women and children. These refugees are trying to escape the terrors and wars that are going on in their home country. However, United States officials must remain cautious with who we are letting into our country at this time. Many citizens are nervous to let so many people into our country. The challenge that the United States officials face is if we
economic, social, political or environmental reasons. The increase of human migration leads to the growth of racial, ethnic, and religious diversity in host countries. In the contemporary American society, as the number of refugees and migrants increase, government agencies and local organizations are providing social supports and "decent reception conditions" (Frelick et al, 2016, Pg. 191) in order for the newcomers to resettle quicker. Promoting the long-term integration of refugees and immigrants in the community typically starts out at the grassroots level, focusing on strengthening the voice
This has led organisations such as Refugee councils and Refugee Action
Syrian refugees who are in desperate need of emotional, physical, mental support will feel disrespected and betrayed from not only their own country but America as well, which will lead to irrational actions. Maybe even joining terrorist groups to get back at America. In the past year there has only been four ISIS attacks in the United States. Most would agree the number would increase if Refugees are allowed into the States. On the other hand, some agree the numbers will increase if the refugees aren’t allowed in America, refugees will build hatred and eventually want to put that pain on America for denying them to enter the States. Although the United States has the option to deny Syrian refugees, the States has already increased the screening process for those incoming. Security has expanded and is being trained to their top performance if a security guard feel as though a refugee is sketchy they have to right to deny the incoming
During the Israeli War of Independence in 1948 an Arab refugee crisis began, and there is still not a clear answer of what caused it. As inhabitants of Israel Arabs were greatly affected by the establishment of a Jewish State, because their home was governed by others. Nonetheless, the Palestinian Arabs contributed in the making of the refugee crisis. The Arabs were given the choice of becoming equal citizens of Israel and refused. The United Nations came up with Partition Plan for Palestine, but it was rejected. Therefore, instead of having their own country the Arabs fled to neighboring Arab countries to avoid the crossfire of impending war. Arabs were thrown out of their homes by the Haganah (pre-state army), and placed
Today, there are over 65 million refugees in the world. That means that one in every 113 people in the world is a refugee. To many, this number may seem extremely alarming. Many refugees struggle to find a place to resettle. America, along with other developed countries, has often been considered dreamland for these displaced people, making many wanting to get out of their war-torn houses and camps. Refugees immigrating to America have been displaced from their original homes, face frustrating immigration policies, and have difficulties starting a new life in a new land.
There are many oppressive factors that exist in contemporary Canadian society that disadvantages and often alienates refugees. These oppressive factors exist in social, religious, cultural, political, and economic spheres within society. There are many political barriers that exist that oppress and limit the amount of refugees that can safely flee to Canada. An example of political and social barriers that inhibit the admission of refugees is increased border security. Border security has reached a point where it is too difficult for some refugees to safely flee a harmful environment, and this violates international law which outlines that each state has to respect an individual’s right to seek refuge in any nation. Implementing more restrictive
The term refugee refers to persons fleeing their country due to religious persecution, war or violence. In the history of refugees there have been many instances in which thousands of refugees had to flee, or were forcefully evicted from their country. Among these instances include the Armenian Genocide, the expulsion of Germans from and the Syrian
Thirty-one states are not welcoming refugees, seven are welcoming refugees, and twelve are not making a commitment to either side. Governors cannot legally deny entry to refugees but they can make it extremely difficult to gain access. Michigan governor Rick Snyder stated the following ‘It’s also important to remember that these attacks are the effects of extremists and do not reflect the peaceful ways of Middle Eastern descent here and around the world.’ (CNN). Mister Snyder does not welcome refugees to his state because the safety of his citizens is his number one priority but he does not want people to look down on refugees. American citizens do not want refugees in their communities. This is a prime example of xenophobia and could lead to backlash, discrimination, and violence directed towards refugees. Refugees would be targeted and become victims of hate
Maybe they don’t notice, maybe they don’t care, but for the most part people never think things will go as far as they do. So as more and more Syrian refugees try to escape their country, and ISIS becomes more and more powerful, we start realizing that things are beginning tog et seriously out of hand. We can help put an end to this now. Learn from our mistakes and do what we know is the humane thing to do. They say that the United States regretted not letting Jewish refugees in sooner. By the time they did, it was too late for millions of people. If we put aside our fears, we can help save so many people. They’re lives depend on these decisions. Their lives and the American citizens’ lives are at risk. It’s all about taking chances and trying to see the best in people. Ye, there might be one terrorist among the million refugees we accept, but are we not willing to take that chance for those millions of people for something that might or might not happen. The refugees will die without us. Terrorist are already a threat to America, so why not take a chance on a minimal to risk to save what could’ve been millions of
The people of the United States are compassionate and helpful most importantly, to those people with different cultures and beliefs. The United States in many cases must take in a large amount of people to live and to thrive as non-citizens, leading to overpopulation, the government must look beyond this perspective. The U.S. has had a lot of experience with refugees in the past and so forth. Therefore, “in a normal year, we resettle more than any other country. With the help of churches and other charitable groups, the newcomers generally adapt and integrate into society. Their children grow up Americans” (Chapman). Refugees can achieve a new life, furthermore, skills from which natives might gain and learn from. Accordingly, “Accepting refugees into the United States is one of our grandest traditions. And we’ve been doing it since the beginning even before we were a nation,” said Lee Williams, vice-president and chief financial officer of US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (Lauren). Williams is implying that, to recognize which Refugees will won’t be resettled considering their religion or national birthplace raises established and lawful problems, States cannot pick among outcasts. Refugees are outcasts but with more help, they will be able to fit into the American society with just being themselves as time changes and life goes
In the first place the refugees should be allowed in the US because they need a safe place to be where they are not killed or held hostage. With so many groups fighting in Syria it is easy to get caught up in the conflicts. In Syria “the full-blown
While Syrian refugees are often labeled as terrorists, they are actually the opposite. Through research, - Lauren Gambino, Patrick Kingsley, and Alberto Nardelli - three writers from an English Newspaper, “The Guardian”, have found interesting results. They admit, “Syrian refugees are generally afraid of exactly the same thing that Americans are: Islamist terrorism” (Gambino 3). Considering that the Syrians are seeking an escape from the same exact thing that Americans are, why have they not been accepted into America? Like many of the 70,000 refugees who are accepted into the United States every year, Syrian refugees search for shelter from wars and hope of a prosperous future (Welsh 1). Teresa Welsh, a writer for the “U.S. News and World Report”, describes in her article “Why the U.S. Can’t Resettle Syrian Refugees” that “the U.S. should be doing more to help resettle those fleeing conflict and repressive governments in the Middle East and Asia” (Welsh 1). The Syrians desire escape from a repressive government with no chance of rebuilding a better future; therefore, they seek support from outside countries, like the United States and other European
Extremist terrorist groups like ISIS, have risen up and caused a wave of fear and mistrust over the world. Desperately trying to escape their war-torn country, Syrian people try to cross the dangerous Mediterranean Sea, in hope to reach safety. A recently, it had been reported that over 500 Syrian refugees have died trying to cross the sea. Countries were lending aid to the Syrian refugees such as the UN, Turkey, and the United States. Everything changed after the Paris Terrorist Attack in 2015. It became known that some terrorists were disguising themselves as refugees in order to gain access to the country. The United States panicked about its refugee policies, fearing domestic safety. However, the Syrian Refugee issue is in fact a crisis. By February 2016, the U.S had resettled 2,819 Syrians, which has risen from 90 admitted in 2013, in addition to 4.5 billion dollars in aid. Following the Paris tragedy, at least 27 state governors stated their refusal to accept refugees or questioned the admission process. The US State Department has confirmed that the country will accept 10,000 Syrian refugees in 2016. This was met with some backlash from modern day Restrictionists, the conservatives. While helping people who are threatened by terrorism is a moral obligation, the issue was complicated by terrorists hiding as refugees. Because of this, it sparked hysteria and xenophobia in the United States against