Urge Gov. Susana Martinez to Reconsider Her Stance on Syrian Refugees

The United States is expected to receive 1,400 to 2,000 Syrian refugees for the year 2015, and 5,000 to 8,000 in 2016. There are over 4 million refugees that have fled Syria, and this number grows everyday. The United States is better equipped than most states to resettle the outpour of Syrian citizens. However, in the wake of the attacks on Beirut and Paris, several politicians are attempting to reject Syrian refugees with misinformed claims of fearing for national security. Thirty-one governors have issued statements expressing opposition to resettling Syrian refugees in their respective states, citing security concerns. To our grave disappointment, Governor Susana Martinez is one of them.

While the final decision regarding the immigration of Syrian refugees to the United States will fall to the federal government, Governor Susana Martinez's official opposition to the settlement of refugees in New Mexico is indicative of a greater, reactionary and discriminatory mindset. In the words of former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, “These proposals are motivated by fear, not by the facts….We have always been a generous nation, and we have in place a rigorous process for refugee resettlement that that balances our generosity with our need for security. It works, and it should not be stopped or paused."

In light of the terrorist attacks that have rocked the international community, it is important to stand in solidarity with the victims of these attacks. But we must remember that the refugees fleeing Syria are victims of this very same terrorism themselves. We must not scorn the refugees seeking safety in a misguided and misinformed attempt to secure our own safety. Instead, we must extend our sympathy.