AILA Doc No. 15100101 | Dated December 2, 2015
Currently, millions of Syrian refugees are seeking protection from violence, persecution, and similar horrors that unfolded on the streets of Paris. The United States has committed to increase the overall total of refugees to 85,000 in FY2016, with at least 10,000 Syrian refugees, and to 100,000 in FY2017. According to the U.N., more than half of all Syrian refugees are children.
In the aftermath of the Paris attacks on November 13, 2015, some lawmakers and governors have issued kneejerk responses that would limit or ban Syrian refugees from resettling in the United States.
AILA urges the government to not act impulsively in response to this violence. The security of our country and its residents is paramount; but we must have a measured and focused response to address the root cause. Refugees are not to blame.
America must continue to be a global humanitarian leader and protect refugees from every part of the world. Refugees currently undergo the most rigorous security screening process of anyone who comes to the United States. To learn more, read AILA’s statement on the protection of refugees.