7 Ways to Help a Syrian Refugee This Thanksgiving*

After fleeing an oppressive leader and rampant, violent, religious extremism by boat, some of the early newcomers to the land that would eventually become the United States began a tradition of Thanksgiving rooted in community, family and gratitude that we are about to celebrate again this Thursday. In the wake of last weeks terrorists attacks, some other newcomers have received a less than grateful welcome.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the hyper-restrictive American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015, aimed at halting refugee resettlement from Syria and Iraq. In the days leading up to December 11th, when the federal budget must be approved by Congress, refugee issues are likely to be a point of major contention and possible holdup.

For those of you who don’t think the lives of millions of people should be so carelessly disregarded to make an already secure process come to a grinding halt, for those of you who have seen the news over the past years as the Syrian War has unfolded so violently and unceasingly, and for those who would like to make the world a little brighter rather than a little darker this Thanksgiving, the following are some ways to help Syrian refugees this holiday:

1. Right now, the number of Syrian refugees living in camps or the cities of neighbor countries outnumber those resettled in the U.S. by many orders of magnitude. The international organizations who support these millions of people — who have had to leave behind homes, livelihoods, and possessions — are overburdened and underfunded. Donate your money to the UNHCR, Doctors Without Borders, and other organizations that are working with Syrians overseas.
2. Reach out to your local refugee resettlement agency with donations of furniture, home goods, winter clothing, and other gifts during this holiday season. Linked is the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s list of voluntary agencies. Each agency has contact information for local affiliates.
3. If you live in a state whose governor has come out in opposition to Syrian refugee resettlement: call, email, snail-mail, do whatever you can to remind them that deciding who and who is not allowed to live in their state does not fall under their job description and is a violation of the very liberties they profess to stand for.

Alabama: (334) 242–7100 Arizona: (520) 628–6580 / (602) 542–4331 Arkansas: (501) 682–2345 Florida: (850) 488–7146 Georgia: (404) 656–1776 Idaho: (208) 334–2100 Illinois: (217) 782–0244 / (312) 814–2121 Indiana: (317) 569–0709 Iowa: (515) 281–5211 Kansas: (785) 296–3232 Louisiana: (225) 342–7015 Maine: (207) 287–3531 / 1–855–721–5203 Massachusetts: (617) 725–4005 / (413) 784–1200 / (202) 624–7713 Michigan: (517) 373–3400 New Hampshire: (603) 271–2121 New Jersey: (609) 292–6000 North Carolina: (919) 814–2000 Ohio: (614) 466–3555 Oklahoma: (405) 521–2342 South Carolina: (803) 734–2100 Texas: 800–843–5789 / (512) 463–1782 Wisconsin: (608) 266–1212

4. On the other hand, if you live in a state whose governor has come forth to welcome refugees after their long journeys of war, violence, and fear, send a word of thanks. These are leaders who know that, over many decades, the United States has resettled refugees from some of the most terror-ridden countries in the world and has and will continue to do so without imperiling national security.

5. As the federal budget deadline of December 11th approaches, contact your Representative and Senators (1–866–961–4293). Let them know that you do not want to see a humanitarian crisis used as a political tool. Refugees are already vetted by multiple federal agencies including the FBI, the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. Remind your representatives that refugees are the most rigorously screened group to come into our country. After all of their hardships and vetting, they deserve the opportunity to contribute positively to our states and to our nation and that you want to welcome refugees into your community.

6. Take a few moments to read the American SAFE Act of 2015 that was passed last week by the House of Representatives (or at least the summary). Take another few moments to consider the implications of requiring the FBI Director, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence (who really don’t have much else to do) to personally certify each of the refugees admitted into this country. Contact your Senators and urge them to let nothing resembling this bill pass though the Senate.

SUMMARY OF H.R. 4038, THE AMERICAN SECURITY AGAINST FOREIGN ENEMIES ACT of 2015

The American SAFE Act requires comprehensive background checks of every refugee from Iraq or Syria before they can be admitted into the United States and certification that each does not pose a threat.

Specifically, under this legislation, no refugee from Iraq or Syria will be admitted into the U.S. unless:

1. the FBI Director certifies the background investigation of each refugee; and
2. 2. the Secretary of Homeland Security, along with the FBI Director and the Director of National Intelligence, certifies to Congress that each refugee is not a security threat to the United States.

Under this legislation, no Syrian or Iraqi refugee can enter the United States until the American people’s representatives in Congress receive these certifications. It also creates an additional layer of protection by requiring the DHS Inspector General to independently assess the refugee approvals — making sure that high-risk individuals do not slip through the cracks.

7. Speak up in the face of the fear, hatred and xenophobia that is proliferating in the media right now. Utilize your skills and your networks to reframe the way we as a country think about and serve refugees. Make this a holiday defined not only by thankfulness for what we have here in this country but also by what we have to offer. As we give thanks, let’s give welcome. Let’s practice compassion.

Happy Thanksgiving!

*Unfortunately, Syrians are not the only people fleeing their countries with a well founded fear of persecution. Throughout the world millions of other refugees live without homes. Some members of Congress are looking to restrict all refugee resettlement in the United States, whether from Iraq and Syria or elsewhere. The courses of action listed above should be taken in the interests of all refugees. Some of our world’s conflicts and terrors may have avoided public notice, but the people affected should not slip through our collective care.