Here’s Why I Think Minnesota Should Hold Off on Accepting Syrian Refugees

It has been almost a week since the terrorist attacks in Paris.  In that time the Islamic State has taken responsibility and we’ve learned that some of the terrorists made their way in to Europe with crowds of migrants from war-torn Syria.

In the last week, France has conducted a number of raids where suicide bombers, both male and female, have caused destruction.  A stadium in Germany was evacuated due to a credible threat and police in Honduras caught five Syrians trying to come to the United States with doctored passports.

In the midst of this, one might expect the President of the United States to rethink his plans to bring Syrian refugees to the U.S.  The FBI has already come out and said they really have no way of screening those fleeing broken states.  Instead President Obama claims those against his plan are “afraid of widows and orphans” and “un-American.”  We have seen plenty of video footage to show there is a vast array of men, women and children fleeing Syria.  I suspect the majority are good people. But it is foolish to assume they all are.

My question to the President is this: Is it “American” for us to recklessly allow thousands of Syrian (or refugees from any country, for that matter) without a thorough vetting process?  Whether you want to believe it or not, Mr. Obama, we are at war.  There are people out there who want to harm this country and its citizens and while you claim global warming is our biggest threat, deep down you know the Islamic State is.  Tell me, are you prepared for a terrorist attack on our soil?  As citizens, we don’t have access to all the information you do, but many of us realize it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

Since the attacks, several states have said ‘no’ to refugees at this time.  As of now, Minnesota hasn’t said one way or the other.  However, Governor Dayton has made it clear what he thinks of those states who have said no.  I’m very much inclined to disagree with him, I think it’s a smart move to try to protect the citizens of those states as best they can.

In a meeting here in St. Cloud last month, the Governor addressed issues of discrimination against minority groups and what you should do if you don’t like them here in Minnesota.

While I agree with him that we need to find ways to eliminate discrimination or at least decrease it, I think his solution is more than a bit misguided.  Governor Dayton, I respect that you take your job as leader of Minnesota seriously but this is not YOUR state, it is OURS collectively.  YOU work for US and on this issue, I’m not sure you’re looking out for our best interests.  Shame on you for thinking otherwise.

As a Christian and I’d like to think a decent human being, I don’t like the thought of turning away people in need.  However, in light of recent events, I don’t think we can ignore the fact that our government does not have a thorough screening process.  This is not the time to try to be the hero or play political games. It’s a time to watch out for the people of this country.  Put their safety and the security of our nation first.

Implement a detailed vetting process where we can be reasonably sure of who we’re allowing in and what their intentions are.  Until you have that process in place, please don’t put us at risk.  Do the job we elected your for, protect this state and country and its citizens.