The brutal rule of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has already driven millions of refugees out to surrounding countries and many to Germany and the rest of Europe. Now we Americans are being asked to accept perhaps ten thousand, mostly women and children, until it’s safe for them to return home. But Governor Pence and two dozen other Republican governors are trying to keep them out. But immigration is a federal matter. Refugees seeking asylum here must pass rigorous two-year clearance by the UN refugee agency and then further investigation by our own authorities.
Does Pence make sense? Does he honor Hoosiers or again make us look like bigots? Let’s consult the facts, not our fears. Since 9/ll only some 37 Americans have been killed by Islamists– fewer than by other terrorists–while 90 thousand Americans have been murdered, many with firearms. Who’s more dangerous? Were Islamists looking to infiltrate our borders, there are many quicker and easier ways, so Syrian refugees, many of them Christian or minorities, are hardly a significant source of danger. Alas, there are enough extremists already living here. America benefited from Jewish refugees in Hitler’s time, and can again benefit from new talents and viewpoints.
Some candidates want to exclude Muslims only. This is un-American. Such anti-Muslim discrimination, Islamophobia, gives credence to the ISIL propaganda according to which we Westerners are opposing Islam. Whatever our beliefs, we need the cooperation of all groups to alert the police about dangerous radicals, Islamists among them. The great majority of Muslims oppose Islamist distortions of their religion, as their leaders have repeatedly told us. We need to stand with them.
