An enthusiastic thumbs up to
Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto and Pennsylvania Governor Wolf for announcing that the
act of terrorism in Paris would not dissuade them from resettling Syrian
refugees within the Commonwealth. This
decision to favor compassion over fear is at odds with most Republican
Governors and legislators, who are raising potential roadblocks similar to
their ill advised call for travel restrictions during the Ebola crisis in 2014.
Thankfully those calling for a
refugee ban have little control over federal immigration policy. The President
has made clear that Syrian immigrants will be processed and resettled in
accordance with previously announce quotas.
The Syrian refugee crisis is the
greatest immigration challenge to Europe since WWII with 7 million displace by
the civil war. For the United States to
not do its part, in light of our actions in causing the problem in the first
place, would be a failure of leadership.
Immigration challenges over our
history have always included vigorous dissenters. The Irish were papist spys, the Italians were
anarchist bombers and the East Europeans were communists. Our security and vetting procedures are the
best in the world. Let us ignore the
doubters and continue to do the right thing.
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