Refugee Crisis Research Paper

The Refugee Crisis is Everyone’s Crisis

The United States admitted approximately 85,000 refugees in 2016. (Willingham)

This, however, pales in comparison to the 65.3 million people forcibly displaced worldwide. (UNCHR) The refugee crisis the United States faces today is extremely controversial. Refugees should not only be allowed, but also be welcomed into the United States. It is actually safe to let them in, but it also makes America more cultured and it brings the refugees to safety.

In fact, bringing in refugees, and the refugees themselves, are safer than most people think. In the last 40 years, only 20 out of the 3.25 million refugees allowed into the US have been convicted of attempting and/or committing acts of terrorism on US soil.

(Willingham) However, most Americans have a fear of terrorism mainly based on misbelief about how often terrorism actually happens. In Uri Friedman’s article, “Where America’s Terrorists Actually Come From,” Alex Nowrasteh says that between 1975 and 2015, the chances of someone other than a foreign-born terrorist murdering you was 252.5 times greater than dying in a terrorist attack committed by one (Friedman). “The primary perpetrators of major terrorist attacks have mostly been US born citizens or permanent legal residents (Levenson).” In fact, not letting refugees in may indirectly cause terrorism, Veronique de Rugy writes. “A 2013 study in International Interactions shows that when a large number of refugees are placed in countries that have historically had tensions with their country of origin, it increases the risk of terrorism.” (de Rugy, pp.

When they apply for refugee status, living in their own country has become a matter of life or death. When borders are closed to refugees, the risk of fleeing greatly increases. If they come here illegally, they are tried as criminals. All they want is a safe environment to live and raise their family in. If America allows more refugees in, the country could supply the safe-haven they need. “America has a long proud history of providing safe harbor for refugees around the world. Founded by people looking for religious freedom and through the years enriched by those seeking safety, the very fabric of this country was woven by refugees (Offenheiser).” Refugees are consumed by hunger and destroyed by war. They are forced to leave their homes with very little of their belongings (Offenheiser). The least the US can do is provide a place for vulnerable refugees to come to when they have been uprooted. They do not just wake up one day and decide to leave, it is not a light decision to pick up and move halfway across the world. Refugees see things that are unimaginable to us in today’s world, things no one should see in their entire lives. Maher is a refugee born in Homs, Syria and currently living in Oakland. He retells what he saw before he left in Cal Fussman’s article, “Why I Am in America.” “Buildings were collapsing. You’d see someone’s head severed, children with rubble all over