What do you think the Founding Fathers would have to say about the current refugee relocation crisis in the US? Would they want us to accept refugees without regard for their religious preferences? Would they insist upon a tracking program? Use statements from the documents you have read thus far to support your answers.
56 Comments
Seth Wadsworth
12/2/2015 09:35:54 am
The founding Fathers, in my opinion wouldn't care where the refugees were sent to as long as it wasn't still in the U.S. In the text, it brings up the fact that the rights of the people that live in America are for Residents of America. The world never was and probably never will be a place that accepts any and all races. I don't think the Founding Fathers would want the U.S. to take in refugees without regards to their religious preferences or their race. On the other hand, I don't think it would be necessary to have a tracking system for all refugees; especially if they're not going to be in the United States.
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leighton
12/2/2015 09:47:04 am
I strongly disagree with you, in fact a lot of countries except refugees in fact turkey has let 2.2 million refugees into there country and also since the irag war many Syrians have already moved to the us most countries in the world except these refugees.
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Peter
12/2/2015 09:59:21 am
The U.S since 2013 has only let 1682 Syrian refugees into the U.S vs Germany or Canada who have let over 30,000 into there country. Yes the U.S have let them in but nowhere near what other have done.
Ingalls
12/2/2015 10:05:11 am
What did the selections we read have to say about this issue--religious freedom and the intents of Madison and Jefferson? You need to show me what they said that lead you to conclude this.
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Gavin Ray(s of sunshine)
12/2/2015 09:36:59 am
Based on the documents and essays we have read thus far, the opinions of the fore fathers is that we accept these refugees, hoping for religious tolerance throughout the country. They also would not make any laws or regulations against any particular religion, based on Madison's idea for tolerance. You would think that people today would especially be wary of that kind of situation, what with Hitler and the Jews during WWII. But, no matter how hard our leaders try to bring these people together, there will always be conflict between sects, and yes, our country is very secular. These refugees are escaping war in their own country, so they clearly don't want to be part of the conflict. We should not turn a blind eye to those in need because of fear and paranoia. Just because some of these people could be terrorists, does not mean they all are. Now, if these people rally against us in our own country and try to destroy our way of life, we will retaliate, on home turf no less. God calls us all to love thy neighbor, that means everyone. Fear, hate, and suspicion are not how you treat someone asking for help, even if you don't trust them, because saving a group of a thousand innocents and being attacked by one guilty is worth the risk.
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Mandy Kin
12/4/2015 09:38:43 am
In his second and fourth points, Madison states religion is exempt from the society and legislature and that the bill violates the equality of these religious bodies.
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Emily
12/2/2015 09:38:55 am
I feel that the Founding Fathers would accept the refugees to the country. They wrote the constitution for any person in the country to be free and accepted. They would accept anyone no matter their religion; they wrote freedom of religion into the constitution for the purpose of being able to practice one's own religion freely and without judgement or isolation. Considering that the refugees just want to be free from the desolation of their country and that the Founding Fathers based the constitution solely on freedom, I think that they would welcome the refugees with open arms and provide for them until they were able to provide for themselves. As for a tracking program, I'm not entirely sure. The Fathers WERE all about freedom and so I think they might not insist upon one. However, some of them might while others believe that terrorists would not disguise themselves as refugees. I think that they would keep track of the refugees, but not track them so close that they're watching their every move-- that would not be freedom. I believe that the Founding Fathers would welcome the refugees into the country and give them the support and freedom that they need without judgement or isolation.
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Mason H
12/2/2015 10:08:26 am
Would the Founding Fathers still accept them nowadays seeing the potential risk they could pose to other Americans?
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lovin
12/2/2015 09:41:44 am
I believe the founding fathers today if set with making the decision would let the refugees in do to there beliefs and the way the feel america should be shaped and how they wanted it to be shaped, i also believe they would use a tracking program to keep american lives safe but also staying with in the constitutional rights for the Syrian refugees. With the way the founding fathers looked at constitutional rights and followed them so closely and shaped everything off of them, it leads me to believe that they would want us to except the refugees and there beliefs into our nation. I think that the founding fathers would be very relaxed in this situation do to the other situations they were faced with and made it through, I would imagine they would listen to the people but in the end they would do what was right and what would help others seek religious freedom and safety.
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Harley
12/2/2015 11:03:39 am
Would they still welcome them with open arms after seeing what happened in Paris? Would they value the safety of our nation or accepting the refugee's religion more?
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Alison Renee'
12/2/2015 09:45:36 am
The Founding Fathers would probably be a little skeptical about the idea of refugees coming into the U.S. I don't think they would be very keen on the idea of having people with different religions in the states. They might develop some kind of tracking system because they wouldn't want any of the refugees doing anything they weren't supposed to. If they did accept them into the U.S. they would be very strict about everything. Watching their every moves but letting them come in. The processes of letting them come over would also be difficult, they would have to stay in certain areas of the U.S. and they wouldn't be able to do all they wanted. I really don't know if they would support the idea one hundred percent mainly because of the different religions. I feel as if they would try and influence the refugees to be apart of certain religion, just to calm some of the waters that they had between them. America has never accepted all races, as disheartening as it is, it's the way it is. Having the founding fathers being who they are they might make the refugees go somewhere else, saying this, they wouldn't need the tracking system unless they felt otherwise.
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Hayden
12/2/2015 09:50:24 am
I agree with your opinion.
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Shelley Grace H.B.
12/2/2015 10:01:33 am
I think if they made the refugees participate in a tracking program, all of the other citizens in America should have to participate too. If the Founding Fathers want freedom of religion and any form of equality, wouldn't that be the right thing to do?
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Layne Harris
12/2/2015 10:08:55 am
With the NSA spying on us as much as they currently do, its debatable that we all already participate in a 'tracking program', whether we like it or not.
Ingalls
12/2/2015 11:03:57 am
I think that you are right, Shelley. I don't think Madison would have been too keen on tracking Muslims but not Christians, for example. Article 6 is pretty specific about not requiring religious tests within public realms. What this covers is, perhaps, debatable; while it certainly allows a church to require its leader be a member of its proclaimed faith, it is also clear that they did not intend religious tests to preclude citizenship rights.
Alison Renee'
12/2/2015 10:27:50 am
In 'Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments" James Madison says "If "all men are by nature equally free and independent", all men are to be considered as entering into Society on equal conditions; as relinquishing no more, and therefore retaining no less, one than another, of their natural rights".
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Loodachris
12/2/2015 09:45:42 am
I believe that the founding fathers would want us to take in the refugees because some of the people that came to the colonies were refugees. I do realize that there could be a risk that a terrorist could make it into our country as a "refugee", like what happened in Paris, but that's why a background check should be mandatory. The background check would be simply to see if they had ties to Al Qaeda, Isis, or any other terrorist organization. The safety of the American citizens is one of the main concerns of the government. Some states are not accepting refugees because of the risk of a terrorist, but that is the choice of the states government officials. Not all refugees are bad because I have a great grand mother was a refugee from Germany, during the Nazi/ Hitler era. why should we fear an entire religion and race just because of the acts of a few?
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Wyatt
12/2/2015 10:05:00 am
Yes, not all refugees are bad, but given the circumstances now, and what just recently happened in Paris, don't you think the acceptance of refugees should be for strenuous?
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Loodachris
12/2/2015 10:11:01 am
the amount of refugees that can be accepted is already limited. not one country can take them all, but thats why there should be a background check so only true refugees are accepted.
Dylon
12/2/2015 10:09:05 am
Reading this made me think in a completely different way. You state really good points and I agree with you.
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Loodachris
12/2/2015 11:35:37 am
Madison states that "because we hold it for a fundamental and undeniable truth that religion or the duty which we owe to our creator and the manner of discharging it can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence. this means that we cannot force a religion, or force someone to change there religion, but they can change they're religion by there own choice.
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Shelley Grace H.B.
12/2/2015 09:46:13 am
I think the Founding Fathers would probably be for the idea of refugees coming to the United States. They had all of these ideas and rules in mind when they'd formerly done what they'd done. All of these ideas and rights for religious freedom and things similar. Refugees coming to the U.S. would kind of prove that the whole system is true. Of course, they'd allow them to practice their individual religions and such freely. They would definitely expect us to accept them without regard for their religious preferences because if nothing else, that is what they stood for. They stood for the right and freedom of religion. They would more than likely welcome them to the U.S. with open arms. It is the people, the citizens that would probably be against it. They'd argue about the refugees having different religious views, like they've always done and still continue to do. The people will never be happy with the overall action that is to be done about anything nationwide. There will always be people who think something else should've been done. The Founding Fathers, for the most part, had the same or similar views on everything of importance for the sake of the country. They agreed together, they disagreed together. I don't think a tracking program would be necessary unless they intended to make everyone do it. Equality is still something that should be taken seriously. Everyone is created equal, everyone should be treated that way. The Founding Fathers have proved to be accepting of various races, so why can't everyone else be the same way?
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Hayden
12/2/2015 09:49:54 am
I agree with your opinion. I think everyone should be treated equal.
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Shelley Grace H.B.
12/2/2015 10:23:54 am
James Madison wrote in the passage from 'Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments' "Because we hold it for a fundamental and undeniable truth, "that religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence.""
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Tyrone
12/2/2015 09:47:18 am
I think that if the founding fathers would have seen what happened in Paris then they would not want any refugees coming to America because some of the Paris attackers came into Paris posing as refugees. If the Founding Fathers were able to see what America is today then they would probably want America to focus on itself instead of helping other people when we are barley able to help our own selves. If they were to allow refugees into America then I think that they would do a tracking program or they may give the refugees a designated place to live that way we are able to see what they are doing and make sure they arent having any physical contact with any terrorist group. I know that all refugees arent terrorists but they are getting a bad rep because of the countries that they are coming from.
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Tyrone Jr
12/2/2015 02:37:02 pm
Madison said, " Religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence."
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Hayden
12/2/2015 09:47:31 am
In my opinion I think the Founding Fathers would probably be a little questionable about the refugees coming into our country. its like inviting a complete stranger into your home. I don't think they would really care about the refugees religious aspects but they may have somewhat of a trust issue when allowing these strangers from across the united states coming into our country. I think they would develop somewhat of a tracking system on these people just because they wouldn't be sure whether or not to trust the refugees right off the bat, however I don't think they would invade their personal privacy and watch every move they make. If we are talking about letting a refugee in our country now days then I don't think they would allow it just because of all the terrorism going on in the world they may think that a terrorist might disguise themselves . if we are talking about letting in refugees in years ago I think the Founding Fathers would let them because back then we didn't have as many problems dealing with terrorism. Over all I think the Founding fathers would accept refugees into our country, but they would be safe about doing just so.
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Shelley Grace H.B.
12/2/2015 10:03:19 am
I agree, the Founding Fathers would be cautious and safe about the decision, but I think they'd allow the refugees into the U.S.
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Hayden
12/2/2015 10:28:47 am
James Madison wrote "Whilst we assert for ourselves a freedom to embrace, to profess and to observe the religion which we believe to be of divine origin we cannot deny an equal freedom to those whose minds have not yet yielded to the evidence which has convinced us".
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Dakota
12/2/2015 09:48:15 am
When the founding fathers "founded the country", while they may have denounced the act of migrating refugees from time to time, they continued to do so anyways (transporting slaves forcefully to work in tobacco or wheat fields). With this in mind, it is unclear whether the founders would agree upon the idea of allowing such activities to take place (the migration of refugees into the United States). However, considering the desire of the founders and George Washington for the United States to avoid any kind of involvement with foreign countries, to reduce the risk of warfare or any other confrontation that could lead to destruction, one could assume that they would not suffice to the idea of accepting refugees into the country without reassurance of their religious preferences. As far as addressing the Tracking System for said refugees, the Founding Fathers would most likely appreciate the idea and the effort being put into maintaining the "stability" of the country.
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blake
12/2/2015 09:48:55 am
I think the founding fathers in today's society they would see these refugees and would we forced to except them simply because the ways the country as a whole would complain. They could even come over as immigrants, i believe the every person has the right to feel safe and free and the founding fathers would see and under stand that in today's society. They are refugees they want to escape the violence not create more. Our father's would see this and except them with open hands trying to help these harmless people seek a life of happiness and freedom if they want to become U.S citizens, because after all this country was built on foreigners from all over the world. It can continue to grow on them. They would hope for the best and respect the worst ready to retaliate at any time if any problems are caused. Im not saying id agree with there decisions because there's still that thought in the back of my head but i believe the founding fathers would except them in present day society.
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blake
12/2/2015 10:11:43 am
There are more than 4.2 million refugees and only about 850,000 fled to Europe. 67 percent have been children under the age of 12 and women, according to State Department data. So its not just the U.S. that they are fleeing to for safety! 2,290 Syrian refugees have arrived in the United States since fiscal year 2011 and we haven't had any major accidents.
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blake
12/4/2015 09:49:21 am
to add on top of some of the statistics the founding fathers would accept anyone no matter their religion, so if there was extremists entering the country for freedom they would allow them.the founders wrote freedom of religion into the constitution for a reason, being able to practice their own religion no matter the circumstances. and especially if they are just seeking freedom of feeling safe.
Dylon
12/2/2015 09:49:32 am
The Founding Fathers worked hard to make the Constitution and make the US how it is today. They made certain rules and laws and if they let the refugees come in easily the Fathers might as well just throw all that they have achieved out the window. Religious preferences might be important because if we let certain groups into our country they will not only attempt to ruin and torment what we have but they could also succeed in what they try to do. If anyone from anywhere was aloud to enter our country without any questions being asked, the US would probably be in great danger. It would take a long time for the country to be taken back over and originated.
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Emily
12/2/2015 10:00:29 am
I think the Founding Fathers did not expect the US to turn out this way, but hoped for more unity rather than division in the country through our freedom. We as a country are divided into political, religious, and even social groups that have opinions that no one can agree on. Many people view all Muslims as terrorists, but really, a very small portion of the religion are actually terrorists. The Islam religion is one of the largest in the world and what they decide to do with their beliefs depends on who they are as a person. Not all Muslims are terrorists, and sure the terrorists could disguise themselves as refugees, but most of the refugees are actually terrified and just want to feel safe from those of their own religion that choose to do terrorize.
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Allie
12/2/2015 10:00:46 am
I agree with you somewhat. They wouldn't want to accept refugees without putting into consideration their religious views but they might if there was a backup plan such as a tracking program. It's tough saying whether or not the Founding Fathers would accept the refugees.
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Dylon
12/2/2015 10:04:49 am
Kenneth C. Davis stated that the Spanish wiped out the Fort Caroline colony, which is in America I remind you. "In other words, the first encounter between European Christians in America ended in a blood bath." said Davis. Reading this affirms that it is not a good idea to let refugees in our country.
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Ingalls
12/2/2015 10:10:05 am
I don't see how that event affirms your statements at all--Fort Caroline's destruction was far before Madison's or Jefferson's time.
Allie Burger
12/2/2015 09:51:04 am
Religious freedom and tolerance are central principles on which the United States was founded. At the idea of America as a refuge, "Madison argued Henry's proposal was "a departure from that generous policy, which offering and Asylum to the persecuted and oppressed of every Nation and Religion, promised a lustre to our country." The Founding Fathers wanted a great nation; not one to leave others out on their own. If given the circumstances, the Founding Fathers probably wouldn't accept refugees unless there was a tracking program or a back up plan. They wouldn't want to accept refugees without putting into consideration their religious views.
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Mason H
12/2/2015 09:52:03 am
I believe that if the Founding Fathers were tasked with the current refugee relocation crisis they would say "Come on in" this is because at the time of the Founding Fathers they let everyone into the states, well not everyone but it was a lot easier to get to the United States. And if America was actually pursuing religious freedom vigorously at the time I'm sure they would welcome them with open arms. Plus you have to think about the fact that there was hardly terrorism at the time as well. The Constitution says that all men are created equal and that all shall have freedom of religion, so yes I believe they would take them. But what if they knew everything about the situation we are in now? Would they still take them? I don't think so... This is because it is a risk to everyone else, they would have to do what is best for the majority and the public good.
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Mason H
12/2/2015 10:04:23 am
“The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respected Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations and Religions; whom we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and privileges…”
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Abbigail Scheline
12/2/2015 09:52:17 am
The first Amendment of the Constitution states that, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," The Amendment is basically saying that all religions are allowed in the U.S. Also the Founding Fathers of this country were refugees escaping religious in-tolerances. Thus making all the refugee issues an easy way for them to say welcome. Although they would welcome them I think there would some stipulations on the fact that they were not christian and the world is having issues with Isis today.
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Wyatt
12/2/2015 09:52:57 am
I feel that the Founding Fathers would welcome these refugees with open arms, without regard for their religious preferences. I also feel that once they were here they would would be faced with many restrictions and hardships, solely because of their religion. Because of the possibility that these groups of refugees might contain terrorists, makes me think that the Founding Fathers would prefer some form of a tracking system, and maybe even isolation from the rest of America.
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Cody Taylor
12/2/2015 10:11:12 am
I completely agree. Just like when all the Irish came here and were faced with crime many hardships.
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Ingalls
12/2/2015 09:53:34 am
So far, I see very little evidence of support from the documents you have read. You cannot receive full credit for these posts without citing direct evidence.
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Harley
12/2/2015 10:08:26 am
The Founding Fathers themselves understood what it was like to be oppressed and escape injustice, so I think that they would be sympathetic at the least towards the refugees. At the same time however, the Founding Fathers worked hard to set up the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and laws to help govern the nation and set guidelines for society. We must first prioritize the security of our nation, and then make a decision from there. The safest thing we could do would be performing background checks on each refugee (we are incapable of that however).
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12/2/2015 10:09:26 am
I believe what the Founding Fathers would have say about the current refugee relocation crisis is , "Let them in.". I believe they would say that because all of their founding principles one way or another dealt with religious equality. I believe a few would have a problem with it, but the majority of the founding fathers would welcome them them with open arms. They wouldn't care we knew their religion or not. Thomas Jefferson said, " But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.” and I think that's a very important message that portrayed how a lot of the founding fathers felt and would feel about the current refugee relocation crisis. James Madison also had ideas of religious tolerance that influenced many Founding Fathers. He worked with Baptist to ensure religious liberty and made sure to keep separation of church and state. I believe the Founding Fathers would have no problem accepting the refugees since they are basically all about religious freedom and equality and it is proven through out their sayings, amendments, and teachings.
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Logan
12/2/2015 11:19:00 am
I don't think that it could have been said any better, especially using that powerful quote by Jefferson. Would you personally agree with this, or do you have different thoughts on the current situation?
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Logan
12/2/2015 10:09:52 am
I think that the Founding Fathers, in regards to the refugee relocation crisis, would want the refugees to be welcomed and supported by all Americans. I think that their argument on that idea would be to remind the American population that they were at one point like the refugees. We had left Great Britain to escape religious persecution long ago. These refugees are trying to escape the religious extremists in their country, where they are seeing the face of destruction. I think that the Founding Fathers would then try to get the American people to imagine themselves being put in the same situation as the refugees. Wouldn't you want help if you lost everything; living a life where you are staring death in the face every day, knowing that any minute could be your last because of another persons’ actions? They would probably bring up the point of James Madison’s idea of religious tolerance. That we should be able to respect one another’s religious practices and beliefs, given that it isn’t taken to extremes. They would bring up the First Amendment, where it says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” We should accept the refugees into our nation with open arms because they need help, rather than pushing them away because of their religion. Who are we to do so? Madison states, “The Religion then of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man’ and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate. This right is in its nature an unalienable right. It is unalienable also, because what is here a right towards men, is a duty towards the Creator.”
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Ingalls
12/2/2015 11:34:41 am
Very well informed and well explored commentary! I have mulled the idea of registries over since I first heard candidates suggest it. We are living in dangerous times; and, while our potential for mass destruction and mass murder is more pronounced, I do not think these times are necessarily more dangerous. Islamic beliefs have not significantly changed since its creation, but our policies on accepting immigrants has--multiple times. As well, our methods for screening and accepting immigrants has advanced. Although Harley noted that performing background checks on all refugees was not feasible, I disagree and extend my disagreement to point out that our access to information is much better than it was at the turn of the century (when we accepted a huge number of Syrians!). Furthermore, according to the American Immigration Council, legal immigrants to the US (including refugees of all sects) are far less likely to commit crimes of any sort than native-born citizens. Even when we look at international terrorist attacks, those carried out in the name of Islam (radical or otherwise) in Europe and America only compose 2-5% of all terrorist attacks.
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Peter
12/2/2015 10:10:36 am
Ethics, integrity, and morals are what The Founding Father really believed in. They wanted to do the right thing and wanted to make a country free of prosecution, and that why i think they would welcome the refugees. because it doesn't matter what religion you are showed by number one on page 478 which talks about how america and its people should be free of religion prosecution and should be able to worship any "god" they believe in. Another thing they would of done is lead the charge. Which the U.S has barely even broken the surface so far. The U.S since 2013 has only let 1682 Syrian refugees into the U.S vs Germany or Canada who have let over 30,000 into there country. Yes the U.S have let them in but nowhere near what other have done. Start doing your Part America its only fair.
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Layne Harris
12/4/2015 09:02:42 am
What about the tracking system? Surely we need to follow them because thy cannot be trusted? There are certain properties of our natural rights and legal rights that make this absolutely absurd, but people like Trump fail to see them. What is the main conflict in this whole argument?
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Hunter
12/2/2015 03:16:11 pm
I feel like the founding fathers would have excepted the refugees as long as they were to follow our constitutional rights. Our founding fathers followed the constitution as close as it possibly could be followed so the refugees should have been allowed to practice whatever religion they want as it says in the first amendment. as it says in the first amendment "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." No i feel like they should not put tracking on the. ill finish this later
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william
12/2/2015 07:33:43 pm
I believe that the founding fathers due to their rights set into place upon founding the country, the founding fathers would accept them with open arms. due to the fact that our country was founded by people trying to escape religious oppression.
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william
12/4/2015 09:52:57 am
no man should be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burdened in his body or goods.- Jefferson.
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Layne Harris
12/4/2015 08:56:23 am
According to Madison, the idea of foreign people of various religions seeking refuge in the U.S. is a wonderful idea. To him, accepting these refuges from Syria and Afghanistan must be no different than accepting immigrants from any other location or religion, as stated in one of the more prominent phrases in section 4 of his "Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments" paper. This phrase, "all men are to be considered as entering into Society on equal conditions; as relinquishing no more, and therefore retaining no less, one than another, of their natural rights." serves to set the bounds on the capacity Madison believes our government should be allowed to judge upon religion-- not at all.
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