With the recent attacks in Paris, the world has been sent into a panic. In the past week, thirty-one governors have declared that their states have closed their borders to Syrian refugees. Over half of the states oppose letting refugees in, but is it up to them? President Obama recently said that the “United States has a moral obligation to accept these refugees.” Over half of the states, the majority being Republican, disagree with the President’s thoughts about the topic at hand. There has recently been discussion of a congressional bill to pause the influx of Syrians into the United States. Over the next couple of weeks, debates will arise and the question of Syrian refugees will be brought to the forefronts of citizens minds.
I had a few minutes to sit down and talk to junior Michael Soukar, a Syrian student that attends FHC and get his thoughts on the matter.

Q: What have your parents told/taught you about life in Syria?
A: Life used to be good there, before the conflict that is. There weren’t really any problems, and it was just another country.

Q: Do you believe that the thirty-one states disallowing Syrian refugees are making a judgment based on a small minority of people?
A: Yes, definitely. I don’t think it’s right that they’re being closed to all refugees, because a lot of them are families that need our help.

Q: If the decision to stop Syrian refugee’s is made, how do you think it’ll affect refugees of other nations?
A: It’s definitely gonna discourage them, because they’ll most likely feel unwanted. The number of refugees will probably be dropping because of this.

Q: Do you that you are treated differently at school, and/or out in public because of your Syrian background?
A: Not really at school, but out in public I can definitely feel it a little.