To the Editor:
Re “Bill to Restrict Syrians in U.S. Passes in House” (front page, Nov. 20):
The xenophobic backlash against Syrian refugees defies both morality and logic. Have we not learned from our misguided policies of the past, including internment during World War II of Japanese-Americans for fear that they were not loyal citizens, or turning away Jewish refugees?
The Syrian refugees are fleeing violence, trauma and horrific human rights abuses. They are victims of terror, not terrorists. Lest we forget that we are a nation of immigrants, the Syrian refugees deserve our compassion, not our fear.
Before being resettled, refugees are already thoroughly scrutinized. While no background checks are perfect, if only our politicians showed the same zeal and less political pandering for strengthened gun control, then we really might promote national security.
ALLEN S. KELLER
New York
The writer, an associate professor at the N.Y.U. School of Medicine, is director of the Bellevue-N.Y.U. Program for Survivors of Torture.
Note from KBJ: How many are you taking in, Allen? Put your money (and your family's safety) where your mouth is.
