Antelope High School

Home of the Titans

Principal, John Becker
Phone: (916)782-6565 ext. 1047

Joshua Freeman
7801 Titan Drive
Antelope Ca, 95843

Governor Jerry Brown

c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, Ca 95814

To Whom It May Concern:

Hello, my name is Joshua Freeman and I am writing to you to discuss the matter of the Syrian refugee
crisis. I have grown up here in the United States my entire life and am very grateful for that. Now, many say
that I take my education and freedom here in the United States for granted. This is in fact a false statement. I
pray each morning thanking God that I live in the home that I live and the country I was born in. I have
sympathy for those who suffer because they have not had the privileges that I have had by being born here in
the U.S. I travel down each year to Mexico on a missions trip to help those in need of normal things like water,
food, and shelter. I do this out of love and have actually found that many with less material items have a deeper
joy that I cannot explain in words. With that said, I do not believe that the U.S. should take in refugees from
Syria for the reason of safety for the citizens of the United States.

Currently, there are more than 11 million(PRO/CON: Should state governors be able to reject Syrian
refugees?) refugees that are seeking asylum from the intense war that erupted in Syria about 5 years ago. This
war was brought about during the time of the Arab Spring. In summary, the Arab Spring was a mass movement
against the tyranny of multiple governments located in South West Asia. As of now, many governments have
been overthrown, however, Syrias government has held up against many rebel groups. As a result, many have
fled their homes for safety from this war. Not only this, but around 470,000(Report on Syria conflict finds
11.5% of population killed or injured) people have been killed directly and indirectly(Report on Syria conflict
finds 11.5% of population killed or injured) because of the violence occurring in Syria.

Many would argue that the crisis that the Syrian refugees are experiencing today is similar to that in
which Jews experienced during WWII. I disagree with this assertion for many reasons. First of all, during
WWII the Jews sought asylum because of the discrimination and mistreatment they received as a result of
their religion(Refugee refusal today compared, contrasted to that of WWII). The Syrian refugees, on the other
hand, are misfortunately caught in a war zone. Not only this, the Jews that fled Europe never offered a threat to
the U.S. like the Syrian refugees do. It is stated that it is not likely for their to be many terrorists that will invade
the U.S. if the refugees come because of the screening process they go through. Although, this does not mean
that the threat is not non-existent(PRO/CON: Should state governors be able to reject Syrian refugees?).
There have been many indications that the rising of crime rates in countries in Europe, like Germany, are
coming about due to the influx of Syrian refugees. Therefore, violence is likely to occur the the United states as
well. Thus, the United States should be cautionary to the threats that the refugees would impart if we were to
permit their access.

As of now, lawmakers have denied the permittance of the Syrian refugees. With this decision, I agree. I
support their choice because of the know there are many in need of help over in Syria but taking them into our
borders is not the only option available and definitely not the safest. Many say that we would only be letting in
widows and orphans (PRO/CON: Should state governors be able to reject Syrian refugees?) and that those

4635 Elverta Road, Antelope, CA 95843

 Antelope High School
Home of the Titans
Principal, John Becker
Phone: (916)782-6565 ext. 1047

who oppose their permittance are babies. However, as seen in multiple scenarios women have been suicide
bombers as well (PRO/CON: Should state governors be able to reject Syrian refugees?). Therefore, the
congress should maintain their decision to limit the number of refugees being permitted into this country for the
safety of U.S. lives.

In conclusion, I ask that whomever is reading this letter would vote to maintain the restrictions the U.S.
has placed on allowing the Syrian refugees into this country for the safety of American lives. Thank you for
your time.

Sincerely,

Joshua Freeman
Antelope High School Student
Respectful. Responsible. Proud
GO TITANS!

4635 Elverta Road, Antelope, CA 95843