Memorandum Syrian Refugees

TO: President Donald Trump

FROM: Grace Kane

DATE: 26 January 2017

RE: Executive Order 13769

Memorandum Syrian Refugees

Introduction

The need for the United States to create limitations on who can enter into the country is a necessary step to protect our national security. As a nation, we do need to be protected against Radical Islamic Terrorism, but it is certainly not necessary to indefinitely ban Syrian refugees from seeking refuge in the United States, as there has never been a Syrian refugee who committed a terrorist attack on United States soil. We need to provide refuge to the victims of war in Syria. To protect the citizens of the United States, there will be strict regulations followed to admit any refugee into the country. Taking in refugees is necessary to diminish the situation in Syria.

Current Situation in the Syria

This month, January 2017, there have already been 408 Syrian deaths due to governmental force. Mr. President, the Syrians are not running from terrorism, but rather their abusive leader. Since the beginning of the civil war, 470,000 Syrians have died and even more have been wounded, the majority of the deaths and injuries due to the Syrian government. They lack food, water, access to safe shelter, and other vital components to life. Syrians have faced countless human rights violations against them. Their current leader, Bashar al-Assad, has committed war crimes against his citizens. Syria is one of the most dangerous places to be. They need refuge and a safe place to stay while the civil war in their homeland is taking place. Though ISIS is losing control of territory in Syria, Syrians still face the threat of terrorists every day. a

Implementation

The United States cannot stand by and watch these atrocities take place. We need to provide refuge to the victims of war who no longer have a place to call home. With this being said, it should not be a free for all. We will need strict vetting of the refugees to ensure they will not endanger our citizens. However, terrorism amongst Syrians refugees is not our biggest threat as there has never been a terrorist attack committed by a Syrian refugee in the United States. This does not mean we need not to perform rigorous background checks, however, but rather shoes we should open our doors up to the victims of war to show we support them, not indefinitely ban them. This only worsens their situation.

To limit the negligent chances of a terrorist attack being committed, what is suggested is to allow 30,000 Syrian refugees in each year, the majority being women and children, as they are being targeted by the Assad regime. They will be chosen at random. They will undergo strict background checks, however expedited, and be staggered, that way the country is not receiving 30,000 refugees at once. Each month, about 3,000 refugees will be admitted in the country, with a refugee status holding for three years, or until the conflict ends, whichever comes first. If the conflict is still undergoing after three years, they will be able to reapply for refugee status. Anyone with a refugee status will not be allowed to leave the United States while they hold refugee status, except in extenuating circumstances, to ensure limited contact with terrorist groups. If they do leave the United States, they are eligible to reapply to be gain refugee status, however, must go through the rigorous background check again and will not be given priority to be allowed back in.

Anyone who is eligible to work must find a job with six months of gaining their refugee status. The refugees will need to check in every three months with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to ensure they have a job and for ICE to conduct examinations on technology if deemed necessary. The first year holding refugee status, all refugees are required to have their technology examined.

Closing Remarks

The status of Syria cannot be ignored and we need to help Syrian refugees. They are in the midst of a civil war and humanitarian crises. We as a nation need to provide our support and not indefinitely ban them from our country. A strict vetting process is necessary, however, it is just as necessary to help fellow human beings. Terrorism is of course an issue, which is why strict vetting is needed, however, Syrians face a greater threat from their government than we do from terrorism. The acceptance of Syrian refugees must be a priority of the United States, as it can help to deescalate the situation in Syria.