Forward (Opinion)
By Rex Brynen
November 14, 2015
As
media attention focuses on the question of whether any of the Paris
attackers entered Europe as refugees, I offer a few thoughts.
First,
it is important to recognize there is a risk that a small number of
extremists might infiltrate refugee flows. Advocates for generous asylum
policies — of which
I am one — should acknowledge this. Addressing it calls for appropriate
resources to be devoted to the challenge. Moreover, screening will
never be 100% successful. It never is.
The
broader question, however, is whether fear of a few evil men (or women)
will lead us to sacrifice our basic moral commitment to fellow human
beings fleeing war, oppression
and deprivation. I, for one, am not prepared to grant ISIS a veto over
refugee policy or humanitarian obligations.
I
am equally confident that the overwhelming majority of refugees will,
if given a chance, prove to be productive members of their new societies
who are grateful for the
asylum they have been granted. Almost all of the research on Western
refugee absorption shows net, long-term positive effects.
Goodness
knows that multicultural Montreal, for example, is a much better place
for having accepted those fleeing war and instability in Lebanon, Haiti,
Rwanda, DR Congo
and many other places besides. There certainly wouldn’t be such an
excellent choice of shawarma restaurants without them.
During
World War II there was also a real risk that among those fleeing war
and Nazi oppression there might be spies and fifth columnists. Indeed,
some were.
I
am enormously grateful, however, that fear of that possibility did not
lead the authorities to turn back a young boy who arrived in England
with his parents in May 1940.
He had made a desperate and a perilous journey from the Netherlands by
road and sea, a bullet hole in his jacket from being strafed by the
Luftwaffe en route.
Had he been turned back, I might not be here to write this.
That young boy was my father.
Rex Brynen is a professor of political science at McGill University.
For more information, go to: www.beverlyhillsimmigrationlaw.com
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