Syrian refugee crisis prompts leaders to take a stand

LANSING - As a single mother of two and a Syrian immigrant, Nada Kurdi knows how hard it can be to leave a war-torn country behind.

Kurdi, a 43-year-old West Bloomfield resident, is a founding member of the Syrian American Rescue Network, a group that helps families resettle in the United States and acclimate to American life. Kurdi's oldest son, 17, got accepted to Michigan State University this week, so she has a vested interest in mid-Michigan's future and its willingness to accept newcomers.

"It doesn't matter where," said Kurdi, when asked where the most refugee friendly Michigan cities are. "What matters is the love around you.”

Mid-Michigan, like the rest of the state, is in the middle of a political controversy over the resettlement of Syrian refugees. The issue received national attention after Gov. Rick Snyder earlier this month raised questions about the resettlement process for new Syrian refugees. He is one of 31 governors who have questioned federal security procedures for refugees since the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris killed some 130 people.

Despite Snyder's stance, Michigan has brought in 179 Syrian refugees over the past year, according to the Detroit Free Press. The mark ties California for the second-highest in the U.S. Texas leads with 189. Pennsylvania, with 111, ranks fourth, according to Reuters.

A growing to support addition of more refugees has been boosted by public statements and resolutions from Greater Lansing elected officials.

Members of the Ingham County Board of Commissioners, Lansing City Council and Islamic Center of East Lansing all appear ready to keep doors open.

With a 13-1 vote on Tuesday, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners approved a 10-paragraph resolution that stresses for refugees of all countries to be "respected, protected and supported." It mentions the county is home to an estimated 17,000 refugees and denounces "those who have played into fear tactics and attempted to close the door to refugees, particularly from Syria."

The dissenting vote came from Commissioner Randy Schafer, R-Williamston. Schafer said at the meeting the county is not in a position to dictate who should and shouldn't be allowed to migrate to the U.S. He described condemning the actions of others at the local, federal and state level as "inappropriate."

Vincent Delgado, a Lansing City Council at-large member, showed his support for Syrian refugees last Monday at the council's general meeting. Delgado said Lansing should consider showing more support for them at a time when they appear under unfair scrutiny and judgment nationally.

"The question shouldn't be whether or not (the area should welcome Syrian refugees)," Delgado said. "The question should be: 'How far are we willing to go to welcome these refugees and offer them a new home?'"

Delgado's remarks led to support from Council President Tina Houghton and 1st Ward Member Jody Washington for a resolution. Washington wrote Thursday in a Facebook message to the Lansing State Journal that if Delgado doesn't craft a resolution, then she will. Council's next meeting is Dec. 14. Delgado's term expires Dec. 31.

In East Lansing, the Islamic Center of Greater Lansing has plans to host a presentation from the Syrian American Rescue Network (SARN). The Islamic Center has plans to host the Royal Oak-based organization on Dec. 4 so its leaders and over 1,500 weekly congregation members can learn how to help refugees.

“We are just interested in doing our homework and getting ready," Imam Sohail Chaudhry said. "Maybe we can get some ideas we’re not thinking about right now.”

Chaudhry, 34, came to the U.S. from Pakistan about 15 years ago and has noticed increased concern among his congregation about "Islamophobia." The Islamic Center increased its security a few years ago and has made a push to get involved in interfaith efforts around mid-Michigan to show it wants to be an asset to members of community — regardless of faith. Congregation members participated in a Habitat for Humanity project in Lansing this month and participated in an interfaith Thanksgiving service at The Peoples Church of East Lansing.

Kurdi, the Syrian immigrant, said she and other SARN members have helped at least 32 families from Syria resettle in Metro Detroit since June. She sees an opportunity for mid-Michigan, especially Lansing and East Lansing, to be a refugee services leader. The region's proximity to Detroit (about 90 miles) and its relationship with educational institutions like MSU make it ripe for a cultural rebirth, she said.

"If you have a junkyard in your backyard, you're going to become a junkyard owner," said Kurdi, who often serves as a Department of Homeland Security interpreter. "But if you have something like a MSU in your backyard, you're going to become a very successful person."

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan made it clear that his city will continue to welcome refugees from all countries and to support victims of terrorism. He also expressed confidence in the federal government's vetting process to screen out potential security threats.

Several Lansing area organizations and leaders said last week they also are ready to help Syrian refugees feel welcome. St. Vincent Catholic Charities has resettled over 20,000 refugees from around the world in mid-Michigan over the last 30 years and hopes to welcome up to 100 from Syria within the next year — if the federal government continues allowing the placements.

Dearborn resident Jihad Alharash, also a Syrian immigrant, is pursuing a master's degree in public health at Wayne State University and looks forward to seeing how the college atmosphere at MSU could help turn Greater Lansing into a growing hub for refugees. He's another founding member of SARN who plans on attending the presentation at the Islamic Center.

The organization planned to hold a potluck dinner Sunday in Metro Detroit to help Syrian refugees who have resettled in the region feel more at home. The organization is composed of more than 40 volunteers and continues to grow, he said.

"These families are very happy to be in America," said Alharash, a 34-year-old Muslim. "They just want to learn how to manage."

The SARN organization encourages financial donations, but also appreciates any time volunteers can offer to meet with refugees. SARN's website, msrc.nationbuilder.com, includes an Amazon.com wishlist of items for resettled refugees that ranges from dish drainers and food storage containers to futons and laptop computers.

President Barack Obama would like to welcome 10,000 Syrian refugees to the U.S. in 2016. He appeared to double down on that proposal Thursday in a video message that urged citizens to embrace refugees while they are in the Thanksgiving spirit.

"Nearly four centuries after the Mayflower set sail, the world is still full of Pilgrims — men and women who want nothing more than a chance for a safer, better future for themselves and their families," Obama said. "What makes America America is that we offer that chance."

The Obama Administration has noted that states don't have the legal authority to block the resettlement of refugees. The Office of Refugee Resettlement said in a letter that states attempting to block resettlement would be breaking the law.

The mayors of East Lansing and Lansing also sounded off on the matter.

East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows reiterated at Tuesday's City Council meeting comments he wrote on his Facebook page that welcome Syrian refugees. "Send them here if you are looking for a place that they can be welcomed as we have welcomed many other refugees," Meadows wrote of Syrian refugees.

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero hasn't spoken publicly about his stance on Syrian refugees, but wrote on his Facebook page that U.S citizens shouldn't abandon "the basic American principles that continue to make us a beacon of hope."

"Let us not make policy rooted in fear, despair or revenge," Bernero wrote. "We have made terrible mistakes in the past; we dare not repeat them."

Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter@EricLacy. Staff writer Curt Smith contributed to this report.