Loading ...These Groups Have An Idea To Help Syrian Refugees: Let People Sponsor Them
Some opponents to taking in more Syrian refugees argue it’s simply too expensive. Refugees need significant help with housing, food, transportation, education and more when they get here, and they contend that the United States can’t afford to help more people.
But what if outside groups — community or religious organizations, cities, companies or even individuals — foot the costs instead?
A coalition led by the Syrian American Council plans to send a letter to President Barack Obama on Wednesday asking him to consider creating a program for private sponsorship of Syrian refugees, the involved groups told The Huffington Post.
They don’t want this to take away from government assistance — in fact, they also proposed upping the government’s admissions by 100,000 refugees — but argue it could be a way for the citizens and organizations that want to step up to do so.
“Every single day we get phone calls from Americans who want to privately sponsor a refugee,” said Omar Hossino of the Syrian American Council. “But since the private sponsorship is not legal, it’s not an option, the government doesn’t permit that, they’re unable to do that.”
The Syrian refugee crisis gained more national attention this summer, when images of men, women and children making long and dangerous trips to Europe dominated the news. One of the most striking symbols was a photo of 3-year-old Syrian Alan Kurdi washed up on a beach after drowning while his family tried to make it to Greece.
Source: www.huffingtonpost.com