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Dr. Weishar spoke to the Times-Picayune about Syrian refugees and the resettlement process on 11/17/15.
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<p>By Jed Lipinski, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune </p>
<p>The terrorist attacks in Paris last week raised concerns that Syrian civil war refugees arriving in Louisiana pose a security threat. The Islamic State group, which controls parts of Syria, claimed responsibility for the attacks, and Gov. Bobby Jindal responded with an executive order to block Syrian refugees from Louisiana. </p>
<p>To elucidate who these refugees are, why they're coming and what happens once they get here, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune spoke Tuesday (Nov. 17) with Sue Weishar, a migration specialist at Loyola University's Jesuit Social Research Institute. She is the former director of immigration and refugees for Catholic Charities in New Orleans, which is helping resettle Syrian refugees.</p>
<p><strong>Before a Syrian refugee arrives in Louisiana, what sort of screening process do they go through?</strong></p>
<p>Since Sept. 11, 2001, the U.S. has built up a rigorous multi-layered security system for admitting refugees into this country. It's incredibly strict and time consuming; the process takes between 18 to 24 months. If there is any concern at all that someone meets the profile of a terrorist, they are simply not included. Out of millions of refugees from Syria, there are plenty of folks to choose from. They include widowed mothers with children.</p>
<p><strong>Who are the refugees who would be arriving here?</strong></p>
<p>Many of them are likely victims of the same terror that we are so appalled by. They may be professionals targeted and tortured by ISIS for their beliefs. They are, fundamentally, victims. But the Islamic State wants us to fear Syrian refugees so that we will refuse to take them in. Of course, after the Paris attacks, people have reason to make sure the screening process refugees pass through is efficient and thorough. As the leader of the free world, however, it's our responsibility to protect victims of terror. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/11/5_questions_for_a_new_orleans.html">MORE>></a></p>
<p>The terrorist attacks in Paris last week raised concerns that Syrian civil war refugees arriving in Louisiana pose a security threat. The Islamic State group, which controls parts of Syria, claimed responsibility for the attacks, and Gov. Bobby Jindal responded with an executive order to block Syrian refugees from Louisiana. </p>
<p>To elucidate who these refugees are, why they're coming and what happens once they get here, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune spoke Tuesday (Nov. 17) with Sue Weishar, a migration specialist at Loyola University's Jesuit Social Research Institute. She is the former director of immigration and refugees for Catholic Charities in New Orleans, which is helping resettle Syrian refugees.</p>
<p><strong>Before a Syrian refugee arrives in Louisiana, what sort of screening process do they go through?</strong></p>
<p>Since Sept. 11, 2001, the U.S. has built up a rigorous multi-layered security system for admitting refugees into this country. It's incredibly strict and time consuming; the process takes between 18 to 24 months. If there is any concern at all that someone meets the profile of a terrorist, they are simply not included. Out of millions of refugees from Syria, there are plenty of folks to choose from. They include widowed mothers with children.</p>
<p><strong>Who are the refugees who would be arriving here?</strong></p>
<p>Many of them are likely victims of the same terror that we are so appalled by. They may be professionals targeted and tortured by ISIS for their beliefs. They are, fundamentally, victims. But the Islamic State wants us to fear Syrian refugees so that we will refuse to take them in. Of course, after the Paris attacks, people have reason to make sure the screening process refugees pass through is efficient and thorough. As the leader of the free world, however, it's our responsibility to protect victims of terror. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/11/5_questions_for_a_new_orleans.html">MORE>></a></p>