This letter responds to claims that accepting Syrian refugees would endanger Americans by arguing that comprehensive security checks are conducted on refugees and that they pose minimal risks. While no option has zero risk, responsible leaders must weigh risks against benefits, and the benefits of offering compassion to refugees far outweigh the potential security risks. As Jews who have faced persecution, Americans have a duty to provide a safe haven to refugees fleeing violence and help our European allies who are accepting far more Syrian refugees.

1. This letteris in response to Morton A. Klein’sarticle claimingthat bringingSyrian Muslimrefugees
into the UnitedStates will endangerAmericans.
Mr. KleinquotedFBIDirectorJamesComeyregardingSyrianrefugees. Mr.Comeysaid:
“I can’tsit hereand offeranybody an absoluteassurancethatthere’sno riskassociated with this
(referring to Syrian refugeeswho may enterthe United States).”
Thisis correct.But it isalsocorrect that “absolute assurance”cannotbe givenregardingthe 41.3 million
foreigners currentlylivinginthe UnitedStates.Neithercan“absolute assurance”be givenforthe 34.4
millionforeigntouristsenteringthe UnitedStatesannually. “Absoluteassurance”cannotbe givenfor
the total populationof the UnitedStates,estimatedat320 millionpeople in2015. Infact “absolute
assurances”can neverbe given - period.
Yes,there isrisk.But, as has beenabundantlydemonstrated byrecentevents,the riskof offering
compassiontorefugeesismuchlessthanthe potential risksoriginatingfromourowncitizensorthe
millionsof people whoannuallycome toourcountryto visit,studyordo business;these peopleare
subjectedtofarfewersecurityscreeningsthanrefugees.
Life requiresustoweighthe potential risksof anyactionagainstthe potential benefits. Responsible
leadersmusttake actionto mitigate risk; they also musttakeaction to maximizebenefits.
Since a refugee issomeoneoutsidetheirhome countryandhavingawell-foundedfearof persecution
basedon race,religion,nationality,political opinionormembershipinaparticularsocial group,theyare
by definitionpeople whosepasthistoryisdifficulttoestablish –theyfledorwere expelledfromtheir
homeland. Securitychecksonourrefugee populationare farmore extensive thansecuritychecksmade
on anyother categoryof foreignersarrivinginthe UnitedStates;extensive securitychecksmitigaterisk.
It isestimatedthatsince 1980 about 1.8 millionrefugeeswere resettledinthe UnitedStateswithannual
arrivalstypicallyrangingbetween40,000 and75,000. Refugeeswhohave enteredthe UnitedStates
representthe majorandminorreligions,racesandethnicgroupsof the world. The vast majorityof
refugeessuccessfullysettle inourcountrybecomingproductive membersof society,contributingtothe
economy – providinggreatbenefitto the UnitedStates.
As Jewswe must learnfromour historyof beingexpelledfromcountriesandrejectedfromnew
homelands,includingthe UnitedStatesduringWorldWarII.Now,the UnitedStateshas made a token
gesture (toacceptat least10,000 thisyearout of 4.3 millionSyrianrefugees). We owe itto our
Europeanpartners whoare acceptingvastlymore Syrianrefugees toassistinthismassmigration.We
owe itto the familiesfleeingpersecutiontoprovide asafe haven.We owe itto ourselvesasaJewish
communitytosupportpeople whoare persecutedandwithoutahomeland.
We wantour children tolookback onthisperiodof our historywithpride andsaythat we conquered
fearto showthe true spiritof whatit meansto be an American.Ordo we want ourchildrentolookback
on thisperiodandrememberitas yetanothermiscarriage of justice similartomanyotherunfortunate
incidentsinAmericanhistory?
AryehSherman
President&CEO
JewishFamily&Children’sService,PittsburghPA