Faith Organizations Leading The Way For A Compassionate Response

[Romero]

Faith-based organizations — which have a long history in resettling refugees in the United States — are concerned by the reactionary responses to Syrian refugees in the wake of the deadly attacks in Paris and Beirut, warning that it's not appropriate to scapegoat refugees in national conversations about preventing terrorism.



So far, 31 governors have made it abundantly clear that they don't want Syrian refugees in their states. Some Congressional lawmakers are going so far as to introduce bills to block taxpayer benefits for refugees from "high-risk countries." Many of these lawmakers identify as Christian and say that Biblical virtues guide their policies — yet their positions against the resettlement of Syrian refugees perhaps go against those values.



About 1,500 refugees have been resettled in the United States since Syrian's civil war began in 2011. The Obama administration has since called to resettle upwards of 10,000 Syrian refugees next year.



Amid the xenophobic response to the attacks, religious organizations are instead calling to separate the actions of terrorists from the desperation of people fleeing terror. Here are a few examples of faith-based groups that have issued statements welcoming refugees:



Catholics



The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Migration issued a statement this week calling on Americans to welcome refugees.



"Instead of using this tragedy to scapegoat all refugees, I call upon our public officials to work together to end the Syrian conflict peacefully so the close to 4 million Syrian refugees can return to their country and rebuild their homes. Until that goal is achieved, we must work with the world community to provide safe haven to vulnerable and deserving refugees who are simply attempting to survive," the president of the USCCB said. "As a great nation, the United States must show leadership during this crisis."



Pope Francis has long called for European parishes to take in Syrian refugee families. During his visit to the United States two months ago, he also emphasized caring for immigrants, notably those who are vulnerable and undocumented. Catholic Charities also actively works to resettle refugees.



Lutherans



"To close the door on resettling Syrian refugees would be nothing less than signing a death warrant for tens of thousands of families fleeing for their very lives. As Christians, as Americans, and as global citizens — we must choose to stand for hope and life," Linda Hartke, the president of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, wrote in a blog post this week. "We are a nation and people that stand up to those who slaughter innocents. We stand with the most vulnerable who seek safety and a future. And we stand for welcome."



Hartke's organization works directly with refugees in the United States, including helping connect them with job trainings and employment resources.



Reform Jews



"We cannot allow the violence wrought by ISIS and its allies to overshadow our values as Americans and as Reform Jews," the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism said this week. "As Jewish tradition teaches, 'and each shall sit under their vine and fig tree, and none shall make them afraid' (Micah 4:4). We can ensure our security and fulfill our highest aspirations as a nation rooted in compassion and commitment to religious liberty."



Refugee resettlement is an issue that some Jews may understand very well. In 1938, on the eve of World War II, fewer than 5 percent of Americans surveyed at the time wanted to raise immigration quotas and encourage political refugees and two-thirds wanted to keep them out, the Washington Post reported.



Evangelicals



"We are horrified and heartbroken by the terrorist atrocities in Paris, but must not forget that there are thousands more victims of these same terrorists who are fleeing Syria with their families and desperately need someplace to go," Leith Anderson, the president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), said in a statement this week. "Our system is designed to keep terrorists out and to help desperate families with little children. We want to help the victims of terrorism in the Middle East, not punish them."



Evangelical groups are engaged with refugee support on a global scale, and Politico recently described this faith group as "among the most passionate advocates for aiding refugees."



http://thinkprogress.org/immigration/2015/11/18/3723508/faith-response-syrian-refugee/">//http://thinkprogress.org/immigration/2015/11/18/3723508/faith-response-syrian-refugee/

[cc]

What is so difficult to understand about "Not possible to vette"?

[Romero]

What is so difficult to understand about "Not possible to vette"?

The refugees coming to Canada and the US have already been vetted by UNHCR.

[Romero]

Holocaust Museum Condemns Treatment Of Syrian Refugees



Acutely aware of the consequences to Jews who were unable to flee Nazism, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum looks with concern upon the current refugee crisis. While recognizing that security concerns must be fully addressed, we should not turn our backs on the thousands of legitimate refugees.  



The Museum calls on public figures and citizens to avoid condemning today's refugees as a group. It is important to remember that many are fleeing because they have been targeted by the Assad regime and ISIS for persecution and in some cases elimination on the basis of their identity.



A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. Its far-reaching educational programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors.



http://www.ushmm.org/information/press/press-releases/museum-statement-on-syrian-refugees">//http://www.ushmm.org/information/press/press-releases/museum-statement-on-syrian-refugees

[cc]

When you can figure a way to correctly  vette them, you will be famous



You will be the only person on the face of the earth to do so - There are few records and any that exist cannot be accessed



But I'm sure you will find a way  

[Romero]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CUELac0UsAA73vU.jpg">

[cc]

Desperate I see. I'ts impossible  to make an impossible case, so try anything



Sweet  Syrian women & children refugees that YOU encourage us to allow in un-vetted



http://media.breitbart.com/media/2015/07/Syrian-refugees-sitting-reuters-640x480.jpg">



http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.2349224!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_635/hungary-refugees-migration-crisis.jpg">





You are quite a "guy"

[Romero]

http://oi63.tinypic.com/2po461i.jpg">



http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php">//http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php

[Romero]

Why Canada Can Safely Meet Its Refugee Commitments



Contrary to the influx of migrants crossing into Europe over the past months, Canada is resettling pre-screened refugees who have been approved for permanent residency by a Canadian visa officer abroad. The process is thorough and involves international and national law enforcement agencies.



Refugees who may be eligible for resettlement are first identified by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), primarily on the basis of their vulnerability. International refugee law is clear that those responsible for serious criminal and terrorist acts will not benefit from refugee protection.



Given the limited number of refugees developed countries are willing to settle, only one to two per cent of individuals registered with the UNHCR get referred into the potential resettlement pool despite tens of thousands more who would qualify.* Anyone with a hint of criminal or terrorism connections is simply not placed into the pool for further assessment; priority is given to the most vulnerable.



Next, a UNHCR officer conducts a file analysis. Officers in the Beirut UNHCR office are exceptionally knowledgeable about the events in Syria, the various factions and the timeline of the conflict. This allows for a robust credibility assessment of the facts alleged by the individual. At this point, anyone who the officer identifies as having security or criminal concerns would again be filtered out.



If a file progresses onwards, in general, a UNHCR officer is then tasked with conducting a "refugee status determination." This includes an interview where the truth of their allegations and their background is fulsomely assessed.



If facts related to criminality or terrorism come to light after the interview, the UNCHR also has a process for cancelling refugee status.



If an individual passes this assessment, the UNHCR can refer the file to a Canadian visa officer who will again interview the person. In each case, the visa officer will assess whether the person meets the definition of a refugee.



The individual is then screened for "admissibility" to Canada. Medical and criminal screening is mandatory. A security review involves, at a minimum, the coordination of Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. Information is often sought from third party states, international organizations and searches conducted in international databases.



http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/11/18/Canada-Can-Meet-Syrian-Refugee-Commitments/">//http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/11/18/Canada-Can-Meet-Syrian-Refugee-Commitments/

[cc]

good one!!   You sure do know the comedy sites



Say. What did you think of Al Q being back on the scene ... Mali today



I noticed your hokey source comedy sites ducked that one

[Romero]

NPR Host Challenges Governor To Name One Problem With The Vetting Process For Refugees



Michigan Governor Rick Snyder was the first of more than 30 primarily Republican governors who are attempting to block the resettlement of Syrian refugees. When asked about his specific concerns regarding the two-year screening process for refugees seeking to enter the U.S., however, Snyder was unable to point to a single problem with the current system.



"I wouldn't single out any specific problem I have with it," the Republican governor said.



None of the attackers, at least in Paris, were refugees. Conversely, most of them were citizens of countries in Western Europe and could have entered the U.S. very quickly without any sort of vetting process.



Refugees face far more scrutiny after they apply to enter the U.S. They're subjected to a screening process, which takes up to two years, and their records are checked against those of at least three federal agencies including the Department of Homeland Security.



http://thinkprogress.org/world/2015/11/20/3724498/snyder-refugees/">//http://thinkprogress.org/world/2015/11/20/3724498/snyder-refugees/

[cc]

I underestimated them. They ^^  do good stuff



http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/11/20/3724097/college-sexual-health-ranking/">The Top Colleges For Sexual Health Resources, As Ranked By Trojan Condoms



OK, I'm convinced. I'll take 7 un-vettables. Send them ASAP





Carry on with your bullshit - I'm done with you and your crap sites



EDIT:



Wait Wait I get it!![/url]



You Sneaky bastards!!!

[Romero]

Republican combat vet eviscerates 'xenophobic' conservatives: ISIS wins if you block refugees



Republican Rep. Steve Russell of Oklahoma laid into his party for its stance on Syrian refugees, saying that turning away people seeking solace from violent terrorist groups hands victory to Islamic State jihadists.



Russell, a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and 21-year career soldier with the Army, spoke Wednesday to Congress and decried anti-refugee rhetoric and moves by mostly-conservative state governors to bar fleeing migrants from settling in their states.



"The Statue of Liberty cannot have a stiff arm. Her arm must continue to keep the torch burning brightly," Russell continued. "If we use our passions, anger, and fear to snuff out her flame by xenophobic and knee-jerk policy, the enemy wins. We have played into their hands, period."



Russell also pointed out there is a multi-layer system in place for vetting refugees, and also noted that only 1,900 Syrian refugees have come to the United States in the last four years, most of whom are women and children. He then illustrated the similarity between many conservatives' current stance on refugees and the views held during World War II about people fleeing the Nazis in Europe.



"We have defended our way of life, Mr. Speaker, for 240 years. Now we as Americans must defend it again.



We must defend it when the critic sitting on the couch in his underwear eating his bag of cheese puffs is pecking out hatred and vitriol on some social media."



http://www.rawstory.com/2015/11/republican-combat-vet-eviscerates-xenophobic-conservatives-isis-wins-if-you-block-refugees/">//http://www.rawstory.com/2015/11/republican-combat-vet-eviscerates-xenophobic-conservatives-isis-wins-if-you-block-refugees/

[Anonymous]

What is so difficult to understand about "Not possible to vette"?

The refugees coming to Canada and the US have already been vetted by UNHCR.

I have lived in places with refugee influxes and I can tell you when they get swamped they cut corners. Canada knows this which is why they still need to be vetted by Canadian specialists. The problem is with a volume of over 600 refugees per day that must be screened according to Trudeau's poorly thought out plan our officials too will be forced to cut corners. The bottom line is Justin should scrap his deadline and give officials the time to do their job properly. You won't find that in thinkprogress though.