Texas Governor Greg Abbott has joined the mob of state leaders who think that closing their doors to poverty-stricken refugees is appropriate revenge for the ISIS attack in Paris. Abbott has declared that he plans to turn Syrian refugees away from Texas borders. Trouble is: The Syrians who want to immigrate to the United States also fear ISIS. They are, in fact, our allies, not our enemies. Turning them away makes no sense at all--unless what Abbott really fears are poor people.
Furthermore, immigration is controlled at the federal level. Texas has no legal authority to restrict immigration from a specific country. Abbott's initiative is largely grandstanding, but it is dangerous because it encourages fear and hatred of Syrians. Please join with me in telling Abbott to desist from this course of action.
Dear Governor Abbott:
We the undersigned are outraged to learn that you propose to close the Texas borders to Syrian refugees. First, federal law does not allow you to take such an offensive action. Second, the people seeking asylum in the United States have nothing to do with the ISIS attack in Paris. These folks are just as scared of ISIS as we are. More, really, because they have seen violence first hand in their own country. Please stop talking nonsense and take no further action against Syrian immigrants to Texas.
