Syrian Refugee Crisis
Today in Syria, a
horrific civil war is taking place. Many of the citizens are trying to flee
their homes to seek a safer life in Europe or in the United States. I can't
imagine what they are going through, but I know they should be able to find a
place of refuge and not be denied the opportunity of a better future.
Since 2011, the
year the war started, over 250,000 Syrians have been killed and millions have
fled, according to CNN. The process of escaping war isn't easy for anyone,
refugees still face dangers in their journey to a different country, especially
countries who refuse to let them enter.
According to The
Boston Globe, migrants and refugees seeking safety have to cross deadly seas,
avoid tear gas and beatings, and must endure long and challenging hikes to
arrive at their destination, which might not even accept them. Nothing about
what these people are doing should be looked over or ignored, they are simply
trying to protect themselves and their family.
Some citizens of
the U.S. don't agree with letting Syrians live in our country because they
think that the refugees might be dangerous terrorists or members of ISIS.
Because of all the events that occurred around the world related to ISIS
attacks, people assume that some of the Syrian refugees are ISIS members. This
assumption shouldn't be made about people who are just trying to survive their
war-consumed country.
Some people who
are afraid of terrorist attacks don't want migrants living near them because
they assume that they are dangerous. They think that by closing the borders,
everything will be okay and everyone will be safe. This however is not the
case. Yes, it's a possibility that U.S. citizens might be "safer" by
closing our borders, but the refugees won't have anywhere to go. Why should we
as Americans be able to seek safety and not refugees of war?
Taking in Syrian
refugees isn't dangerous like many Americans believe. The refugees don't just
sail to the U.S., get a job, and start their life. According to Time Magazine,
they go through extensive background checks and are the most heavily screened
and vetted people entering the U.S. The screening process alone takes, in many
cases, up to three years and is extremely thorough. And even if they make it to
the U.S., they don't have anything but the shirt on their backs and the family
they came with.
It has been argued
that it's not fair that the U.S. government assists the refugees by giving them
$1,000 for the first three months in the U.S. However, the refugees must pay
for an apartment, their own food, and their own clothes at the same price as a
U.S. citizen. That is not enough money to live on if you have, for example, two
or three kids and no income. According to U.S.News, Syrian refugees must find
jobs in order to be able to live in the U.S. after the three months are over.
Even though many Syrians are well-educated and experienced, they can't just
pick up where they left off before the war started. Let's say that a Syrian
doctor comes to the U.S., they can't just apply for a job and continue their
practice, they must start from square one and get their credentials. This is
why most refugees end up working for low-pay jobs that require little skill.
Not accepting
Syrian refugees is un-American, according to President Barack Obama. How could
a country made up entirely of different cultures and religions deny Syrians the
right to come here because they are of a different culture and religion? Just
because they come from the same part of the world as ISIS doesn't mean that
they are part of that organization. How dare we assume that they are terrorists
when they are putting their life on the line for a safer future?
Put yourself in
their shoes. What if the U.S. was bombed and taken over by ISIS? What if your
entire family was killed and you decided to flee your home with no money, no
food, and no clothes? What if you finally made it to Germany and they denied
you the opportunity to live there just because you might be a dangerous
terrorist? Imagine what you would do in that situation, and imagine going
through what Syrian refugees are going through right now. If you were put in
that situation, how would it feel to be labeled as a potential ISIS member and
lose the chance to live a better life? Just put yourself in their position and
think about how you would want to be treated.
I believe that we
should all help each other and not assume anything that is not true. We as a
country can't be so selfish and only think of our safety and not those fleeing
war. There are so many steps that the Syrian refugees must take before they
even set foot in the U.S. and if they do, they face many more struggles trying
to make enough money to live a comfortable life. We as people should all have a
chance to live the life we desire to have and not treat each other as if we aren't
equal.
