I do know that most Christians are opposed to the resettlement of Syrian Refugees in the United States --- Christian groups break with GOP over Syrian refugees
Evangelical Christians, as well as Christians more broadly, are a core group in the Republican electoral base and are among the most passionate advocates for aiding refugees. By NAHAL TOOSI <http://www.politico.com/staff/nahal-toosi> 11/17/15 06:24 PM EST Updated 11/18/15 08:43 PM EST [image: Republican presidential candidate, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee speaks at executive committee luncheon during the California GOP fall convention on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)] Mike Huckabee along with other politicians, have worked to gain evangelical support, but may be threatening that by taking a stance against Syrian refugees. | AP Photo > Faith-based groups, who play a key role in resettling refugees to the >>> United States, say they are dismayed by the wave of anti-refugee fervor set >>> off by the Paris terrorist attacks and are urging supporters to contact >>> elected officials on behalf of victims of the Syrian civil war. >> >> >>> Evangelical Christians, as well as Christians more broadly, are a core >>> group in the Republican electoral base and are among the most passionate >>> advocates for aiding refugees. >> >> >>> >>> A push by Republican presidential candidates to ban Syrian refugees >>> "does not reflect what we've been hearing from our constituencies, which >>> are evangelical churches across the country," said Jenny Yang, vice >>> president for advocacy at World Relief, an evangelical organization that >>> helps resettle refugees. "Most of the people have been saying we want to >>> continue to work with refugees, that what happened in Paris ... doesn’t >>> reflect who refugees are." >> >> >>> Reports that a Syrian migrant may have played a role in last week's >>> attacks in Paris, which killed around 130 people, have set off a GOP-led >>> backlash over the Obama administration's plans to admit 10,000 Syrian >>> refugees next year. More than half of U.S. governors have said they do not >>> want Syrian refugees resettled in their states, while House Speaker Paul >>> Ryan says he wants a vote this week on GOP-drafted legislation to halt the >>> administration's plans. >> >> >>> World Relief is one of nine not-for-profit organizations, several of >>> them faith-based, that help resettle up to 70,000 refugees from around the >>> world in the United States each year. Others include the U.S. Conference of >>> Catholic Bishops, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and the Church >>> World Service. Many other faith-based groups, including evangelical >>> Christian organizations, also perform aid work overseas specifically aimed >>> at refugees fleeing conflicts. >> >> >>> 151117_Paul_Ryan_AP_1160.jpg >> >> House likely to vote Thursday on Syrian refugee bill >> >> By JAKE SHERMAN >> >> For Republican presidential contenders such as former Arkansas Gov. Mike >>> Huckabee and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who have been working hard at shoring up >>> evangelical support in a crowded field, harsh words against refugees >>> carries a risk of looking politically opportunistic instead of >>> compassionate. Some advocates were particularly shocked when Republican >>> presidential candidate Chris Christie, New Jersey's governor, said that the >>> U.S. should bar Syrian orphaned toddlers if necessary. >> >> >>> "That was offensive. That was mean-spirited," said one advocate with a >>> Christian group that resettles refugees. He added: "it’s disappointing >>> because there have been Republican senators and presidents who have >>> strongly supported this program over the years. There’s a proud tradition >>> in the Republican Party of welcoming those who are fleeing persecution, and >>> this takes the party in a negative direction. It’s easy to pick on >>> vulnerable refugees who have no voice. But there are immigrant groups who >>> have voting power that understand what is going on. They understand that >>> it’s an anti-immigrant message." >> >> >>> Even though many on the Christian right have reservations about >>> immigration overall, and may in particular be unhappy about people who >>> illegally enter the United States, there's long been a recognition that >>> refugees fall under a different category. The 11 million Syrians who have >>> either fled the Arab country or are displaced within it are dodging >>> terrorist groups such as the Islamic State or the barrel bombs of Syrian >>> President Bashar Assad. Many are elderly, widowed or in need of medical >>> care. >> >> >>> Some Republican candidates have suggested that only Syrians who are >>> Christian be allowed on U.S. soil, something President Barack Obama has >>> blasted as shameful. Yang said many evangelical Christians would also >>> oppose such a religious test, especially because many are eager to share >>> their faith with new arrivals. >> >> >>> The United States so far has admitted roughly 2,100 Syrians since the >>> conflict in the country began in March 2011. To be allowed in, refugees >>> have to undergo the most stringent security checks of any traveler heading >>> to the United States, according to the State Department. Officials from the >>> Obama administration on Tuesday began reaching out to the media and >>> lawmakers in a bid to explain the screening process, which takes an average >>> of 18-24 months. >> >> >>> Meanwhile, faith-based groups have also stepped up their advocacy >>> efforts for refugees. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released a >>> statement expressing distress over calls by elected officials to halt the >>> resettlement program. >> >> >>> 151117_syrian_refugees_AP_1160.jpg >> >> White House pushes back against GOP on refugees >> >> By NAHAL TOOSI >> >> "These refugees are fleeing terror themselves — violence like we have >>> witnessed in Paris," said the statement by Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, >>> chairman of the conference's committee on migration. "Instead of using this >>> tragedy to scapegoat all refugees, I call upon our public officials to work >>> together to end the Syrian conflict peacefully so the close to 4 million >>> Syrian refugees can return to their country and rebuild their homes. Until >>> that goal is achieved, we must work with the world community to provide >>> safe haven to vulnerable and deserving refugees who are simply attempting >>> to survive." >> >> >>> Since the Paris attacks, World Relief has used a website to urge people >>> to contact their governors to express their support for resettling Syrians. >>> The Anti-Defamation League also has spoken out in favor of helping the >>> Syrian refugees, noting that U.S. wariness to accept Jewish refugees during >>> World War II is an example that must not be repeated. >> >> >>> Jonathan Greenblatt, the chief executive officer of the ADL and a former >>> Obama aide, stressed that much remains unknown about the Paris attacks, >>> including the exact nature of the allegation that a Syrian migrant was one >>> of the eight or nine attackers. Even if a terrorist posed as a migrant to >>> reach France, it's less likely that the U.S., with oceans to protect it and >>> a stricter screening process, faces the same level of dangers, other >>> advocates said. >> >> >>> "Republicans and Democrats have to tread very carefully here," >>> Greenblatt said. "Faith-based voters are very attentive to these issues. >>> They’re very sensitive to helping those in need." >> >> >>> Joanne Kelsey, assistant director for advocacy with Lutheran Immigration >>> and Refugee Service, said she hoped that the sound and fury over refugees >>> would soon be replaced with reason as Republican lawmakers and officials >>> get more details about how the refugee program works. >> >> >>> "This is a very reactionary time," she said. >> >> >> > -- -- Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. 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