Syrian Refugee and Terrorist Threat

Posted byGuest 23 Comments on Syrian Refugee and Terrorist Threat

Dear Senator,

I know this topic will not be easy. But I still want to post my concerns here.

In light of the recent tragedy in Paris, I am wondering whether we should review its recent decision in accepting refugees from Syria. Because I still remember the Marathon bombing right here in Boston about three years ago. The bombing suspect, also come in as a refugee with an Islamic background.

I understand the necessity of helping the Syria people for humanity. But I view this as a huge risk as the radicals from Islam is the by far the most violent terrorist.

Should we be at least concerned about the security and scrutinize the refugees we are accepting? ( I understand that the president still holds the Nobel peace prize before he was even the president; that might put him under some obligation for action. )

thanks,

Gang

23 replies on “Syrian Refugee and Terrorist Threat”

  2. We have to make every effort to screen and evaluate the refugees through proper monitoring, if we take any. The cost of such actions need to be put into the budget. There are news reports that it costs only $2k to buy a true Syrian passport with a fake identity, and also some warns that there are 2 ISIS members in every 100 refugees. US people, including children, would no doubt be the targets for ISIS once they get in.

  3. Dear senator,

    Someone posted in Wechat that many Isis present to be one of the refugees and entering their target country. We also noticed some report that in German young kid girl were raped, old man was kill by the refugee.and the killer do not felt guilty, it’s natural for the Islam to have a child wife. And those non-Islam is even human to them.

    And many of the refugees are young men, they left their relative still suffering in their country, I do not think we should encourage they escaping from their responsibility of a father,son or husband.

    So personal I think open our gate to refugees before we can tell who is member of Isis is not wise.

  7. Senator, please! Please reconsider taking those Syria refugees into Massachussets, as the horrific feelings of the boston Marrathorn bombing couple of yeas ago still haven’t dimmed… Not that we don’t wanna them, but please put your own civilian’s safe and wellbeing the formost. We definitely don’t wanna follow Europen’s example!

  8. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2015/11/16/gov-baker-more-syrian-refugees-massachusetts/Z5X1gpE5ws0hh2bsDgb7JK/story.html?p1=feature_stack_1_hp#comments

    Gov. Baker: No more Syrian refugees in Massachusetts

    I would support providing humanitarian help to Syrian refugees in their homeland. Food, shelter, cloth even security facilities. But allowing them into US present too big a threat to the civilians here.

    There will never be a perfect solution in the name of humanity. Let’s do what helps without putting our own children at risk.

    1. I am late to this reply, but I think it is wrong in almost every way to turn away Syrian refugees (for reasons that others have already stated well).

      To the specific problem of protecting our children, I recommend ensuring that every child learns to swim as soon and as well as possible, and lower speed limits, vigorous enforcement of traffic laws, and thorough driver training. Data to back up those two recommendations can be found here: http://www.cdc.gov/safechild/NAP/background.html

  9. Certainly, I think we need to be concerned about security issues in vetting immigrants. The federal government does that — I don’t have a personal view as to whether they do it well or fairly. At this point, no decision is before me on this issue, but I will give it careful attention if a legislative issue emerges.

  10. Dear Sen. Brownsberger,

    I do hope that you give the issue your usual level of careful attention if it comes before you. As you note, it is the role of the Federal government to vet immigrant refugees, and the U.S. has some of the strictest criteria.

    Massachusetts should follow the example of states like Minnesota, which open their arms to accept those who are suffering and in need. We have done so in the past with Armenian refugees. We should do so again with refugees from Syria who are victims of fanatical violence.

    There are many people who allow fear to drive their opinions. When that happens, the terrorists win. Yes, it is important to think of security, but we also need to do what is right. Our country must not repeat the errors of the past, like when we turned our backs on European Jews, or when we interred our own citizens simply because they were of Japanese descent. We let fear rule then, let us not allow fear to rule now.

  11. Dear Sen. Brownsberger –
    Thank you for your reply on this issue. I know there’s nothing “actionable” for you to do at this moment, but as a politician and a leader, especially in light of our governor’s shameful and embarrassing response that seems to forget we’re a nation and a state of immigrants and refugees, I wonder what you think we as citizens can do right now. Is it a matter of just contributing to causes? Would calling the governor to register my disapproval make any difference?

    Please advise.

    Thank you,
    Peter

    1. HI Peter,

      I think push comes to shove when and if there is some offer or ask from the federal government to use state assets to resettle immigrants from Syria. At that point, there will be a number of practical and financial considerations to balance with the moral imperatives of the situation.

      Until then, the federal government will go through its very rigorous vetting process of refugees and some of them will be admitted to the United States and some of them will travel to Massachusetts.

      I think the Governor ignited a storm unnecessarily by commenting on a hypothetical. There isn’t anything that is before the Governor at this point.

      My basic philosophy is this: It’s up to the federal government to determine who comes into this country. It’s up to us to make sure that anyone who comes to Massachusetts, regardless of where they come from or how they got here, is welcomed and integrated into our society and comes to understand our American values — rule of law, mutual respect and individual freedom.

  13. Honestly, I think it is time to put the safety of our children above the bi-partisan cause.

    I am all for humanitarian actions and helping the Syrian refugees, but to have Saudi Arab, Egypt, Turkey to create asylum camp right there in Middle east is by far the most effective solution.

    We should talk to Kathleen Clark about this issue, as she does have a saying on this issue.

  14. I support refugees in our state of Massachusetts and strongly oppose Governor Baker and the republican presidential candidates stance against it. I had been a big fan of Charlie Baker especially with his handling of the mbta, however, I sensed hatred in his tone towards Syrian refugees. He could have said it in a better way without sounding so hateful. I guess the republican in him finally came out.

  15. Our existing policy for screening refugees is very thorough and has been for many years. We have already let thousand of refugees into the US over the last few years, and none of them have been terrorists.

    Stopping our immigration process for refugees at a time when so many people are being forced from their homes by war is the exact wrong time to do this. It’s wise to ensure that our screening policies are effective, and we should always be examining them. And that can and should still happen as we continue to invite more refugees into the US.

    Furthermore, most of the terrorists in the Paris attacks were French or Belgian citizens. Yet I don’t see our politicians suggesting that we close our borders to people from France or Belgium. Closing them to Syrians is simply reactionary and xenophobic, and there is no good reason why we should do so.

  16. Help the Syrians and other refugees. Isn’t it about time that we realistically think about these issues and worry less about this small number of actual and vetted refugees from Syria than about the free availability of guns in this country and those who can come here on various visas without vetting, or tracking? This country was built on the backs of refugees and forced labor and with the creativity of them all. Compassion and common sense.

    1. To purchase a fire-arm legally, there is much more strict background check and application process. I went through the whole training/application/certification process and I had good confidence in the firearm licensing system.

      What I don’t have confidence is to blindly accept Syrian refugees without a proper security screening system.

  17. Will,

    Can I ask you to comment specifically about calls that have been made recently to close U.S. borders entirely to all Muslims, including American citizens who are Muslims who travel abroad?

    Thanks.

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