Loading ...For Syrians in Michigan, call to block refugees is a gut punch
Rasha Basha shoved skyward the noisy metal door to a warehouse in this suburb of Detroit, and the afternoon sun illuminated a vast plain of wooden furniture, household appliances and colorful baby walkers.
Basha’s visits to this place are usually joyous occasions, the moment when grateful families newly arrived from Syria select bedroom sets, toothbrushes and other tangible evidence of lives, finally, being rebuilt. But on Monday, Basha scanned the space with anxiety, worried that the six families she expects in December will not be able to come.
“These are innocent families who deserve a better life. Their children deserve a better life and safety,” said Basha, 45, whose family arrived here from Syria in 1983. “We are very worried and disturbed.”
Following the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris, nearly two dozen governors across the nation scrambled Monday to stop the federal government from settling new Syrian refugees in their states, arguing that the new arrivals may pose a threat to American security. Among the first and most surprising was Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R), who until this weekend had enthusiastically embraced the idea of resettling refugees in a depopulated Detroit.
Wasim Alawad, 31, works as a chef at Shawarma Kingdom cuts shawarma on in Birmingham, Mich. Alawad, a Syrian refuge, arrived with his family two months ago. (Salwan Georges/For The Washington Post)
As concerns mount among European security officials that one of the terrorists had been posing as a Syrian refugee, Snyder’s move captured the rising political pressure governors face in the wake of the attacks. But it also startled Arab Americans nationwide, particularly in communities such as Detroit, where the new flow of refugees had been welcomed for its potential to boost local economic fortunes.
“It appears Governor Snyder gave in to the xenophobic trend that has gripped the Republican Party and its presidential candidates,” said Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
“Xenophobia trumps logic when you have a climate that plays to the worst fears of the people,” Walid said, adding that the years-long “killing spree” waged by Islamic State militants “has been primarily killing Muslims.”
It was not clear what authority Snyder, or any other governor, might have to prevent refugees from settling in his state. On Monday, Snyder spokesman Dave Murray said only that Michigan would halt its own campaign to solicit additional refugees until officials are able to review federal procedures for screening applicants.
The move would not affect any families already en route to Michigan, Murray said, adding, “It’s not expected to be a prolonged review.”
Several other governors directly acknowledged their inability to prevent the federal government from accepting and financing the resettlement of refugees. Refugees become permanent residents of the United States upon their arrival, eligible for Medicaid and other public assistance and authorized to work. After a year, they are eligible for a green card. Five years after that, they can become U.S. citizens, with all the rights and freedoms that entails.
On Monday, State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said families from Syria are subject to a rigorous, 18-to-24-month security screening before they are accepted into the refugee program. He declined to address the complaints of governors, saying, “We believe it’s incumbent on us to sit with them, consult with them, explain to them the process.”
Source: www.washingtonpost.com