MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Gov. Bill Haslam is trying to put at least a temporary stop to Syrian refugees coming to Tennessee, but some say vetting is all we need to keep America safe.
Local experts and Muslims say a lack of knowledge and understanding is causing many Americans to view refugees as national security threats.
WREG spoke with a Palestinian immigrant in Memphis who held a fundraiser for Syrian refugees recently. He said fear is what is holding a lot of states back from welcoming them.
“We don’t want any bad things happening. This is my country, and this is your country,” Mohammed Khdier said.
He came to the U.S. when he was just 17 to pursue an education, and he wants the same opportunities for the people of Syria — safety and success.
But he thinks groups like ISIS are poisoning that chance.
“This minority, heartless, cruel group of people claim to be Muslims. But they’re not really Muslims. They think they are, but they are not. They make everybody look bad.”
Immigration attorney Barry Frager said it is not as simple as states just opening their arms to refugees.
“There is a process you have to go through that narrows down the people who are most victimized,” he said.
Frager said it is not easy to get refugee status, and many who apply are not approved.
Our country has strict procedures, a vetting process, in place to ensure homeland security.
“We are looking for terrorists, whether they are in the United States or not, whether they’re American, a foreign national, refugee…” Frager said.
Even those who are already in this country on visas must apply for asylum status to stay.
“It’s a reasonable fear of being persecuted by the government or groups the government cannot or will not control,” Frager said.
While many states, including Tennessee, are hesitant to accept refugees, Frager is not sure how long that will last. “We have to reflect on whether we’re willing to step back on our civil liberties, because we’re so afraid.”
As for Khdier, he just wants people to understand radicals do not represent all Muslims or all Middle Easterners — most are just like you.
“As long as you are obeying and respecting the rules, follow the law, than you’re good,” he said. “But if you are going to start breaking the law, no. We don’t need you here.”
A group called the Syrian American Council also told WREG they are trying to arrange a meeting between Haslam and Syrian refugees in hopes of changing his stance.