Focus on disaffection, not immigration

The Ohio State University community

suffered a tragedy last week. We’ve read that the suspect was part of a family of refugees who sought safety in the United States. Some will draw the wrong conclusion from this attack: that refugees — or Muslims — are inherently dangerous. But we should focus on the attacker’s individual motives, not his migration history.

As the person responsible for overseeing refugee programs, I’ve met and spoken with hundreds of resettled refugees. Refugees are overwhelmingly intent on making new, stable, peaceful lives for themselves and their families in the U.S. Muslim refugees from war-torn countries such as Somalia, Iraq, Syria and Burma are no different from others who have sought safety and freedom in the U.S. throughout our history. Americans who meet refugees, including those active in faith communities, are the most enthusiastic about helping them.

Those proposing we roll up the welcome mat disrespect the traditions that brought many of our own ancestors to this country. Rather, when we seek to understand the minute risk associated with refugees, we recognize that the impulse to shut down refugee resettlement is a reaction driven by fear, not facts. There is nothing to be gained — in our personal safety or national security — by choosing fear.

What the attack at OSU does demonstrate is what American and international law enforcement agencies are already contending with: disaffected youth. We must focus on the real problem of helping youth who have convinced themselves that they will gain purpose, power or notoriety if they embrace sinister ideologies.

A preoccupation with the immigration or refugee status of attackers only distracts from a careful examination of what motivated their violent acts. Asst. Sec. Anne C. Richard Department of State Washington, D.C.