Letters: Hot debate over Syrian refugees
Members of a refugee family from Syria cast long shadows as they walk over the grounds of former military barracks serving now as shelter for asylum seekers on Nov. 3, 2015 in Ehra-Lessien near Wolfsburg, central Germany. Credit: Getty Images
In the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, among other good Christian Republicans, is saying that the United States should screen out refugees who are not Christian . This is beyond imagining. It's cruel and illegal.
I worked as an immigration officer for the Immigration and Naturalization Service, here and abroad, and interviewed potential refugees. Bush and his cohorts should read up on U.S. immigration law before revealing their prejudice and ignorance. According to law, people are barred from obtaining asylum or refugee status if they have assisted in the persecution of others, are threats to U.S. safety or security, or are already "firmly resettled" in another country.
There is no religious qualification.
Ruth A. Cohen, Great Neck
Kudos to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), who feels that we need to take a timeout in the Syrian refugee program until we have a vetting system "that we think will work" . Governors of 31 states want to close their borders to Syrian refugees. As Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner stated, "We must find a way to balance our tradition as a state welcoming of refugees while ensuring the safety and security of our citizens."
I understand that most of these refugees are good people in need. But my question to President Barack Obama is, how can we be sure that all of them are coming here with good intentions? That's not to mention the expense that taxpayers will face.
Bob Hall, Middle Island
Our president is dead wrong in forcing the United States to accept Syrian refugees even after the Islamic State group warned it would embed its members with these refugees . Most of these refugees have no identification. They are not in any database that would indicate who they really are, as Repbulican presidential candidate Donald Trump has suggested.
After what has just happened in Paris, President Barack Obama should be ashamed to continue to suggest that we bring these refugees into the United States. It is refreshing to hear several governors declining to accept these refugees. Hopefully, all governors will join in.
David Duchatellier, Elmont
I read that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is against allowing in Syrian refugees . He was among the last Republican governors to fall in line. Presumably, he waited to see how this was going to affect his run for president.
This has divided pretty much along party lines. Almost all of the Republican governors, and at least two Democrats, said they will not take refugees because they pose a clear and present danger, while the remaining Democratic governors disagree.
This is a big problem in our country -- partisan politics. None of our politicians can think for themselves, saying only what their political parties dictate.
They all say they will work across party lines, but they never seem to. None of our problems as a nation will be solved unless these officials learn to play together.
Paul W. Coonelly, North Babylon
