Is there risk in 200,000 refugees immigrating to the U.S.
America is a compassionate country and sensitive to the plight of the Syrian refugees. Before we think with our hearts can we pause and think about the risk. Politicians, such as Bill Clinton and John Kasich encourage entry and believe we can vet these folks. Perhaps that makes the public feel better but is it realistic? Where will the information come from and the manning to investigate 200,000 foreigners when few records exist?
Let’s say everyone is vetted by a government agency. What about the 16 year old who poses no problem today but 3 years from now doesn’t assimilate into U.S. society? He becomes disenchanted and relies more and more on his Islamic faith and Mosque for a support system. He becomes intrigued by ISIS on line rhetoric and radicalized. ISIS advocates “come to Syria and join the Caliphate or stay in the United States and target the military and police.” Let’s say conservatively of the 200,000 that enter, 1/100 of 1% become dissatisfied. Is the result potentially any different than 20 improvised explosive devices planted in our communities waiting for a detonating device? That device comes in the form of a disenfranchised young Muslim sympathetic to the ISIL cause. Some will argue that could happen just as easily to an American or Muslim already here. Precisely! The FBI is investigating threats in every state of the union as it is and their capabilities are stretched thin. Add to the existing threat disenfranchised refugees and returning U.S. citizens who went to fight in the Middle East for the Islamic state and our security is significantly compromised.
Think this is far-fetched? Remember the Tsarnev family. They came to the U.S. after enduring persecution in Russia and sought a new start. They viewed America thru the image of Hollywood and saw it as a life they wanted. The father later lamented how hard you had to work in America to provide for a family. It was important for the family to maintain the Muslim culture. There were issues in dress and a desire for prearranged marriages for the daughters which created family conflict. When events didn’t go their way their son reverted to Islam and became more involved with radical thinking. This disenchantment eventually led to the Boston marathon bombing that killed 3 and wounded 264 people.
How about the health threat that comes without immunizations? How do you monitor those affected with illness? Remember the Ebola patient from Africa who died in a Texas hospital and contaminated attending nurses. How about HIV? The health issue compounds the immigration problem.
How will 200,000 be cared for and at what cost? What about education and housing, welfare, healthcare and competition for jobs. Is there a criminal component in the migration of 200,000 foreigners?
Religious freedom is a protected American right. This nation has a deep Christian component ingrained from its founding but we are a secular society with separation of church and state. In Muslim countries faith is stamped on public life and their behavior.
Various faiths including Muslims are welcome but will they adapt to American life or is there an expectation of living their life without regard to U.S. customs and abiding by Sharia law for behavioral guidance – a recipe for conflict. Muslim and Christian faiths have experienced conflict for hundreds of years. The French Muslim population is only 8% but there has been difficulty in assimilation leading to internal strife.
Before 200,000 refugees come ashore lets discuss whether this is in America’s best interest.