Category: Syrian Crisis

Don’t Panic! Or Why We Should Stop Using Crisis Language about Refugees

November 11, 2018

(This entry is based on a talk that I gave at the “Keeping Our Door Open: A Multi-Dimensional Approach to Refugee Resettlement” organized by the University of Michigan and Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County”) I have been writing and speaking about crisis language a lot lately. The term “crisis” gets used a lot for … More Don’t Panic! Or Why We Should Stop Using Crisis Language about Refugees

Can Private Citizens Fill the Gap Left by Indifferent States?

March 27, 2017

Lately I have been asked about my thoughts on private sponsorship like the kind that they have been doing recently in Canada. In most resettlement countries, resettlement is a government-led process in which either state agencies or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) partnering with the government provide resettlement services, which range from material and cash assistance, job … More Can Private Citizens Fill the Gap Left by Indifferent States?

Refugees & Immigrants and the Real Threats to Our Security

January 29, 2017

I will give Trump credit for one thing; he said that if elected he would ban immigration of Muslims, and he’s doing his best to keep that promise. The ban is not on Muslims per se, but people coming from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Sudan (ostensibly not South Sudan, but I haven’t heard how that has … More Refugees & Immigrants and the Real Threats to Our Security

The Refugee Journey to Resettlement: An Infographic

November 28, 2015

I had been looking for something succinct that explained the process of resettlement, which in reality can be rather complicated and in practice is often full of snags. I tend to be long-winded so I wanted to use a source produced by someone else with a gift for simplicity, and recently a friend provided such … More The Refugee Journey to Resettlement: An Infographic

Will the SAFE Act keep us safe? I mean, it has the word “safe” in the title…

November 27, 2015

It seems increasingly popular for U.S. legislators to give Orwellian names to bills, names that imply the creation of a law that will ensure our freedoms, while the content of law actually restricts freedom. I assumed that the SAFE Act (recently passed by the House of Representatives) would be similar, giving the impression of increased … More Will the SAFE Act keep us safe? I mean, it has the word “safe” in the title…

The False Dichotomy of Security and Humanitarianism

November 22, 2015

I was recently asked by a colleague if I would speak to her daughter’s middle school debate team about the Syrian crisis, as the team was to debate whether or not a country should prioritize humanitarian assistance over national interest. The implication I interpreted from the resolution was that humanitarian assistance (presumably in the form … More The False Dichotomy of Security and Humanitarianism

“Why don’t the Muslim countries accept Syrian refugees?”

November 20, 2015

This entry is a first in a series I am titling “Common Questions.” These will be questions I hear frequently that, while perhaps understandable, reflect the lack of knowledge that people have about refugees, immigration, and migration management broadly. So if you have one of these questions yourself or you hear other people ask them, … More “Why don’t the Muslim countries accept Syrian refugees?”

Can State Governors Stop Syrian Resettlement in Their State?

November 18, 2015

The short answer is no, and here’s why: As noted in several articles that have recently come out (this one from the NYTimes, and this one from the Detroit news where I’m quoted), refugee resettlement in the United States is managed by the federal government. Specifically, the Department of State determines which refugees will be … More Can State Governors Stop Syrian Resettlement in Their State?