Immigration ban will help terrorists

Dear Senator Toomey: I am in receipt of your letter of Feb. 9. Your letter responds to my inquiry concerning the president’s recent Executive Order on entry of certain foreign nationals into the United States.

Prior to moving to Pennsylvania I served a full career in the U.S. Foreign Service. In the line of duty in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, we sought to distinguish between risks and threats. Risk is driving on Pennsylvania’s deteriorated highways. Threat comes from the distracted or drunk driver in the other lane.

Almost everything and everyone is a potential risk. Eating a hot dog too fast is a risk for choking. A ubiquitous sneeze on an airplane is a risk for the flu. But the fan at the ballpark is not “threatened” by the hotdog. The Federal Aviation Administration does not administer health exams in the departure lounge to assure no one will cough. This Administration and its apologists on Capitol Hill have now turned a miniscule risk into a legitimate threat.

Regarding the Executive Order, the U.S. Department of State and other agencies already conduct extraordinary vetting of refugees, visitors and immigrants, especially from countries of potential risk. Refugees considered for U.S. entry go through extensive multi-year investigations by UNHCR and U.S. authorities. These are not boat people crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Italy. Refugees are not threats to the U.S.

Under the Special Immigrant Visa program, interpreters and other local nationals undergo years of interviews and background checks. For those who worked alongside us and placed their lives in jeopardy in service to the United States, entry into the U.S. is the least we can do. Even if these individuals and their families are eventually “excepted,” the flawed rollout of the E.O is a slap in their faces.

The actual and imminent threat is from the radicalization of U.S. citizens. This threat from homegrown terrorists radicalized within our shores requires our immediate attention. The Executive Order is a distraction. ISIS and other terrorist groups will use it to gain followers, exploiting what they say are America’s antiMuslim views.

I am saddened that you and your colleagues fail to distinguish between possible risk and actual threat. The United States and its good name will ultimately pay the price. — Lawrence Cohen Schwenksville