With 10,000 Syrian refugees resettled in the U.S., are more on the way?

Earlier this year, Secretary of State John Kerry was clear that security will not be compromised as more Syrian refugees are welcomed and plans are made for increases in 2017: “A year ago, President Obama set the goal of welcoming at least 10,000 of the most vulnerable refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria to the United States. Today, by committing additional resources to our refugee admissions process and maintaining our rigorous screening process and commitment to the security of the American people, we have reached that goal.”

Where are the refugees going?
The increased numbers of Syrians settling in the United States have not changed the chances that a refugee will be settled next door.

Last year, Syrian refugees represented less than 0.0007 percent of the nation’s population. There are more Syrians in the United States today, but the total remains low at about .003 percent of the nation’s population. If the U.S. government reaches its goal of resettling 110,000 refugees from throughout the world in 2017, it will still represent no more than .04 percent of the nation’s population.

Syrian refugees cannot request to settle in the United States, and those who complete their screening are not randomly dropped into a town. The U.S. government works with community programs and leaders, as well as nine agencies including several that have strong religious ties, such as Church World Service, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, to foster integration. These groups support Syrian refugees and help them to find homes, learn English and gain work.

What to do next?
There is a fear that the settlement of 10,000 Syrian refugees will lead to an increase in violence, criminal activity and terrorism, and many critics argue the United States must limit access. Donald Trump called for “extreme vetting” in August.

Others fear that beyond the dangers of violence, the settlement of so many refugees will drain state and federal funds and limit the ability to address other important programs.

The Center for Immigration Studies estimates that Middle Eastern refugees settled in the U.S. cost the government on average $64,370 over five years. Yet, as reporting from U.S. News and World Report points out, refugees do not get long-term support. Upon arrival, refugees receive support that includes a rent voucher and a stipend of $1,000.

Refugees need support and aid as they adapt to life in the United States. But that support is not endless. It is usually earmarked and often originates in private donations including the Partnership for Refugees or donations made in kind, and can range from educational assistance for youth to job training and physical therapy. Public and private programs are organized to support refugees and foster their independence. Children find opportunities to continue their educations. Older Syrian refugees have an opportunity to return to the jobs they held before the civil war.

Focusing on violence and terror drives xenophobia and resentment but does little to change the status quo. It also misrepresents the refugees who have settled in the United States. The vast majority of refugees, Syrian refugees included, are peaceful and looking forward to integrating into U.S. society.

In 2015, the Obama administration acknowledged that the United States could effectively settle more Syrian refugees. In August, the 10,000th Syrian refugee arrived. I believe the United States has a unique opportunity to safely settle more Syrian refugees as part of a united response to the country’s ongoing civil war. Time will tell whether the current ceasefire will lead to a lasting peace and allow Syrians to rebuild their lives and contemplate a return to their homeland.

Jeffrey H. Cohen is Professor of Anthropology, The Ohio State University. This article is published courtesy of The Conversation (under Creative Commons-Attribution / No derivative).