America’s Policy on Refugees

                 The United States government, through Congress, has passed several laws on refugee relief in America. In 1948, the Congress passed the Displaced Persons Act, which allowed more than 200,000 Europeans into America. In 1953, the Refugee Relief Act was passed and saw over 600,000 more refugees into the United States. However, after September 11, 2002, attacks, America’s refugee policy was completely changed. In the wake of the attack, the annual quota set aside for refugees now goes unfilled. Refugees are now faced with numerous bureaucratic hurdles including an investigation by the National and International Intelligence Agencies. Their biometric data, such as fingerprints, is taken and compared against criminal and terrorist databases. They are also screened for diseases and subjected to many interviews. In short, they have to prove that they are worthy of the United State’s refuge.

             

          This hustle is now being felt more pronouncedly by Syrian refugees, especially after November’s attack in Paris. I read Maria Christina Garcia’s Article in The Washington Post that provides a clear picture of how the United States government is handling the issue on Syrian refugees. The article, America has never actually welcomed the World’s Huddled Masses, argues that even though the United States has been a very accommodating country for the oppressed, Syrian refugees have not been treated the same as others since the 9/11 attacks. Garcia provides an analysis of the historical journey that has led the United States to be referred to as a haven for the oppressed. After reading the article, you will realize that rather than moving forward as a welcoming nation, we have taken several steps back by cultivating stereotypes and ignoring policies that the country worked so hard to enforce. This article is worth reading.