The plight of Syrian refugees, particularly their possible resettlement in the United States, has come under increased scrutiny in the days since the Paris terrorists attacks. The conversation online (much of it ugly) has centered around the tension of two American ideals: maintaining national security and welcoming those who are fleeing terror. I’ve done quite a bit of reading in the last few days on this issue, so I thought I’d pass along some of the best, most informed pieces on the settlement of Syrian refugees.
- ERLC Explainer: What You Should Know About the Syrian Refugees
- A short explainer on the crisis to get you up to speed.
- Migration Policy Institute: US Record Shows Syrian Refugees Are Not a Threat
- A policy blog examines the history and record of the US’ refugee resettlement program
- Cato Institute: Syrian Refugees Don’t Pose a Serious Security Threat
- The conservative think tank examines the rigorous processing and vetting of Syrian refugees
- Bearing Drift, Virginia’s Conservative Source: Myths Versus Facts in the Syrian Refugee Issue
- This conservative blog dispels some common myths about Syrian refugees
- Lawfare (A National Security Blog): In Defense of Syrian Refugees
- An outspoken national security hawk makes the case that accepting refugees might actually help national security
- Ross Douthat: Europe’s Refugee Problem and Ours
- Ross deftly explains the tension between security and compassion.
- Christianity Today: A Church Welcome for the Tired, Poor
- Mark Galli from CT on the church’s response
- Desiring God: Building His Church In a Refugee Crisis
- John Piper’s ministry on the church’s response
- Ed Stetzer: We Are All Parisians Now
- Good word from Ed on balancing security and mission
- Alan Cross: Considering the Facts, a Christian Response from Alabama to the Syrian Refugee Crisis
- An SBC pastor and immigration expert offers the facts about Syrian refugees
- Micah Fries: Let’s Help Syrian (and other Refugees)
- Regardless of your political views, here are ways for ordinary Christians to physically help refugees
- The Exchange with Ed Stetzer: Announcing the GC2 Summit
- Samaritan’s Purse: The Rising Tide: Europe’s Rising Refugee Crisis
- This video, of refugees coming ashore in Greece, will break your heart.
- Buzzfeed: Where Syrian Children Sleep
- This too will break your heart