Dear Members of Congress,

I would like to call the attention of government representatives and citizens alike to join us in the pursuit of maximizing refugee integration into American society. With the influx of refugees around the world and the rise in popularity in American politics, refugees’ rights and admissions to the United States are at great risk of abandoning international commitments and national values.

Refugees can be defined as those who are fleeing from desperate, dangerous, and oppressive situations. The United States committed to embracing 65,000-80,000 refugees every year. Statistics show refugees have a lower rate of crime than most legal immigrants and are more capable of entering the workforce at a faster rate. States have benefited from the inhabitance of refugees in multiple ways economically. One of the many reasons for this success could be the result of intentional care provided by private resettlement services, religious, and nonprofit institutions.

Internationally, the refugee population has increased due to the Syrian refugee crisis, out breaks of war, and natural disasters. The United States is one of many other nations participated in this international crisis. Unfortunately, fear and isolated events led some people in America to suspect refugees of becoming hinderances to our nation. After recent tragedies in Brussels, Germany, South Carolina passed a bill that would enact a registry for refugees. Organizations, which are disproportionately religious agencies or institutions, would be legally liable for the refugees they support. If a church, temple, or any other religious organization sponsored an individual who committed a crime, the institution would itself be at risk. 

South Carolina Senators voted 39-6 to enact the bill which limits these service agencies and asylum seekers. Allegations of refugees disguising themselves as terrorist and fear of this vulnerable population has, in turn, led to a policy which could cause great harm to individuals and communities alike. 

As citizens of this nation and citizens of an international social justice issue, we have the responsibility and privilege to speak for those who are silenced by those who are plagued by fear. The bill proposed by New York State and South Carolina could be detrimental to providing refugees with the safety and security that our nation has promised for centuries. Please walk along side us in this journey to protect the opportunity for states to support this inherent national value of providing refuge for those who are least able to protect themselves. 

Sincerely,

Anthony Farfan

Elizabeth Ogburn

Tori Blanton

Sydney Gunderson

To find out more about the bill, follow the link provided. 

http://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article67809132.html