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Syrian refugees entering the country at a record low

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Refugees from Syria are trying to migrate to the United States after feeling unwelcome in Europe.

The civil war in Syria started in 2011 and has displaced more than 11 million Syrians within and outside of the country. In 2016, the Obama administration met its goal of bringing 10,000 Syrians to the United States through the Refugee Resettlement Program.

President Trump set a cap of 45,000 refugees entering the country for 2018, but at its current rate, the final number will be less than half that amount. Refugee advocates are concerned that Trump is undoing years of hard work.

Syrian refugees are fleeing Europe after experiencing increases in anti-Muslim sentiments in their former host countries. 

Some advocates for the relocation of refugees to the United States are concerned with how Americans will be perceived in the future. Brooke Kramer, intercultural studies major, believes that those opposed to refugees are being hypocritical. 

“We are often so stinking critical of people in the past, but the reality is our human nature is the same as it was back then. We have not changed our heart problem, we have just changed the way that it presents itself,” Kramer said. “The United States not allowing Jews into the country during World War II is just the same scenario as the refugees coming to the United States from Syria.”

Many Christians are concerned with the safety of fellow Americans but want to help. Katie Maurer, intercultural studies major, thinks that bringing refugees in is an opportunity to spread the Gospel.

“When a country takes in refugees, that country can share the Gospel with them and give them the opportunity to take it back to their home countries where they can spread it in a way that we would never be able to,” Maurer said.

Safety appears to be the top issue for those against the relocation of refugees to the United States. Lexie Graft, a psychology major, believes that the United States needs to compromise on the issue.

“I think that is important to find a balance between national security and making sure that we are contributing to the issue. We should take in as many refugees as we can as long as the process makes it safe for the people who are already living in the United States.” Graft said.

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