Government is not going to be the solution that brings this country together on the issue of refugees. I propose a solution that recognizes the American people’s strong drive to help people in need while protecting our homeland and strengthening our communities. The government must propose it and support it, but Americans must embrace the program. I have discussed this plan with very progressive and very conservative people. Both groups agree it is a great idea that the other group would never agree to; this is an opportunity to break that kind of deadlock plaguing our society. I believe this is an opportunity to heal the nation as this proposal is something that we can all get behind.
I propose that we “flip the vetting” and vet American families who are willing to foster refugees. I agree with the administration that we can never properly vet refugees because the countries they are coming from have no government keeping proper records and the ongoing conflicts prevent in-person vetting. I also know that it shouldn’t matter; these are people in need of help. The vast majority of these people are not terrorists and ALL Americans want to help them; it’s in our blood, it’s a central part of our national culture that we rise to these occasions and help those in need. So instead of the insolvable problem of vetting in a conflict zone, I propose we vet Americans that are willing to take in refugees. For example, vet me and my wife with a good background check to ensure that we have no ties to terrorism, no sexual predatory tendencies, drug problems, or other derogatory issues. We will sign up to take in a few refugees or a family. We will agree to give them room and board, take them to appointments, court dates, job interviews, language classes, and so on. We will also have them in our home, and be able to ease them into our community and American life in general.
We will leverage the very communities that make our nation great, and make them stronger as they unite to help those in need. Some people cannot take anyone in. However, they could sign up to take fostered refugees to doctor appointments, job interviews, grocery shopping, or a plethora of other things needed. What a great way for the whole community to pitch in and do something great for the world and these people in need. Everyone that interacts with them for their first year (or until their asylum status is approved) needs a thorough background check in order to keep the refugees safe or people could be taken advantage of otherwise. The government’s only necessary actions are background checks of volunteers and periodic inspections.
This proposal will also seriously degrade concerns about potential terrorists. People that are truly seeking refuge will want to do well in order to stay. They will get a job, learn the language, integrate with their host family and community, and be successful. Today refugees are frequently placed in large enclaves where they end up dislocated from the American community around them. They feel isolated, become insular, and often end up fearful and angry at their adoptive country. This is a situation ripe for discontent and radicalization. If they have a host or host family, they have a direct channel to the community. The host or host family will be able to protect them from harassment, and give them connections that only locals know of. They draw them directly into the broader community of America exposing them to the benefits of our values and way of life.
This proposal will solve the problem of the arbitrary numbers that the government puts on refugees. If 500,000 hosts are identified that are willing to take 2-4 refugees, then 1 - 2 million refugees will be allowed in, as the nation will decide the capacity. Both the overwhelming charitable giving of Americans around the world, and the recent protests, show that this is something America is passionate about. Let them channel that into real, direct good in the lives of refugees.
This is not a proselytizing opportunity. I propose that under this program that refugees are free to attend church or mosque at their will, but conversion is NOT the goal. They can make decisions on their spiritual future after their asylum status is approved. This will keep the refugees safe from overbearing people with the wrong motivations. Also, if their asylum status is not approved and they must return home, a conversion and/or baptism could be a death sentence when they return.
This is not a money making program. Host families will be given a bare minimum stipend to cover some extra expenses, such as food and water, which will not go up with more refugees per household. Each refugee will be given a small stipend to cover clothing and incidentals, which will go down with each month to encourage getting a job or going to school. This will also go a long way toward ensuring that the current system of NGOs is not taking advantage of the situation for money.