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The inscription on the Statue of Liberty, off the coast of New York City, reads, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore, send these, the homeless, tempest tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”
One of America’s defining traits has always been the acceptance of immigrants. Immigrants have given our country its vitality and adaptability. However, as the entire western world copes with the flood of Syrian refugees, the United States is markedly behind the curve.
According to the European Union’s website on the crisis, an estimated 9 million refugees have fled their homes since the beginning of the Syrian civil war. In 2015 alone, more than one million Syrians claimed asylum in Europe. Several European countries, notably Sweden and Germany, have been welcoming to these emigrants, with over half of the million taking refuge in these two countries in 2015.
On the other hand, the US, with a population four times as high as Germany, has taken in around 2,500 refugees (according to the NY Times). For every Syrian refugee that came to America in 2015, 215 went to Germany.
The US refugee policy makes Canada’s policy look generous. A total of 16,215 refugees were in the country as of February 4th.
Why is the United States of America, a country with a strong immigrant tradition, so reluctant to help in this global crisis? What responsibility do we have to these refugees, and how do we deal with them?
The simple answer to the first question came on September 11, 2001. The threat of terrorism has paralyzed many lawmakers. Nearly all those who favor banning refugees’ entry, including all GOP presidential candidates but two, do so out of fear of terrorism.
Terrorism is a real threat. Several terrorists in the attacks in Paris several months ago were suspected of posing as refugees to get into the country. It is our country’s first priority to ensure that this does not happen.
Any refugees that come into the country ought to be thoroughly checked, and monitored after entry into the country. It should be the right of the country to deport any immigrant engaged in illegal activity and the deportation of recently immigrated refugees ought to be an option available to anti-terrorism agencies.
However, we also have a responsibility to help the Syrian refugees. The US has always been seen as a leader in global humanitarian affairs. The Syrian refugees must go somewhere. The crisis is a global one; all nations must take part in the solution.
Many other nations look to the United States as an example. Our near-refusal of refugees can be interpreted by other nations as reason to ban refugees from their own shores. If this problem is to be solved, we must all take part.
Further, Syrian refugees would be an asset to our country. Immigration is a good thing; it boosts the economy, creates jobs, and bolsters diversity.
Most leading economists are in consensus that immigration helps the economy. Contrary to popular belief, unemployment does not rise with increased immigrants. Immigrants must buy food and rent apartments to survive; this increases demand, creating a market for new jobs.
Immigrants are also a source of new talent and ideas. These new ideas and talents encourage innovation and additional job growth. Western countries that discourage immigration often stagnate for this reason, especially as population growth slows or stops.
The United States should take in more Syrian refugees. As a leader in global affairs, it is our duty to pave the way for others to follow. Furthermore, it is in our best interests to accept refugees as it is to support all immigration. Fear of terrorism, although legitimate, ought not to be the deciding factor in whether or not we allow Syrian refugees into the country. We have a moral responsibility and a practical incentive to take in Syrian refugees.
Let us say, along with the Statue of Liberty, “Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free.”
