A common argument concerning why Syrian refugees shouldn’t be allowed to enter the country is because a passport mimicking one a Syrian refugee would possess was found on the scene of the Paris attacks. That’s stupid. First off, according to an investigation, that passport was a fake. Secondly, unlike European nationals (French and Belgian natives like the people who were responsible for the attacks), refugees entering the United States have to pass a screening process that includes 21 different criteria. That screening can take up to 18-24 months. It’s the toughest screening process a refugee would have to pass. Syrian refugees aren’t going to be able to use fake passports to enter the United States.

    Another common argument about the refugee situation is that instead of helping Syrian refugees, who by and large are followers of Islam, the United States should instead help and quarter Christian refugees instead. Although I agree it is equally sad there are Christians around the world being beheaded for their beliefs, taking in one group instead of another does more harm than good in the long run. In fact, by turning away people in need because of their race and religion and instead taking in people who belong to the dominant religion practiced in the United States, you are doing the sort of thing that draws those of middle eastern descent toward radical Islam.

     I also realize the vast majority of Syrian refugees are women and children. 9.9 times out of 10, they pose little or no threat to the safety of US citizens. However, to assume a group with the intelligence and reach that ISIS possesses couldn’t find a way to get one of their members or sympathizers into the United States is naïve. After all, there have been a large number of cases in the Middle East where terrorists have strapped explosives to women and children.

    Furthermore, the FBI has already confirmed there have been a number of people in the US who have gravitated toward ISIS, with some leaving the country to join the group. Additionally, there is reason to believe there are already ISIS cells in our country.

    In today’s world, paranoia and precaution are just as necessary as compassion and understanding. For this reason, I can understand why there are people who do not support refugees from other countries entering the United States. Particularly, I can see why Pennsylvanians are leery of President Wolf’s decision to allow Syrian refugees into the state.

    Just from Pennsylvania’s perspective, let’s look at this rationally. There are almost 30 countries worldwide accepting refugees. Furthermore, 29 of the 50 US states are allowing them in, too. Wouldn’t it be fair for the governor to sit on the sidelines so to speak and wait to see what, if any, security risks potential refugees could cause? It isn’t like refugees in immediate need don’t have other places to go.

    Then, if it turns out after say, a year, no Syrian refugees pose a national security threat to the US, then Wolf could reconsider allowing Syrian refugees in Pennsylvania, permitting the federal government determines the situation in Syria is still active and toxic enough that the US should admit more refugees.

    Essentially, ISIS is a very dangerous organization that holds a wide appeal. It is evident ISIS is looking to attack democracies around the world, including the US. I don’t think it’s that crazy to assume ISIS could over time take advantage of a dire, heartbreaking situation and use it as a means to commit terrorism.