Making America Great Again Means Helping Refugees

President Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington DC 20500

5 June 2017 

Dear President Trump, 

A the best moments in its history, the United States of America has made a difference in the world.  We fought in World War II to defeat Hitler and his campaign of genocide, an after the war was over, we opened our doors to a flood of displaced widows, orphans, and families who had nowhere to go.  After World War Two, when Berlin was cut off from the rest of the world by the Russians, we airlifted food and supplies on a massive scale.

When earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and other natural disasters strike anywhere on the globe, America has usually not be slow to lend a hand.  In the face of a massive AIDS epidemic in Africa, the United States pitched in and saved hundreds of thousands of lives and families.  I believe it is our responsibility to provide such aid, since we have been given so much as a nation. 

Though we do not do so for this reason, rescuing and helping out other nations in the face of famine, disease, war, and natural disasters earns us goo will throughout the globe.  Many experts argue it is our strongest weapon in fighting extremist groups – making their recruiting efforts much more difficult.  We also know that refugee camps, where young men sit around with no prospects or possibilities and nothing to do, are breeding grounds for such extremist groups. 

Mr. President, wars in the Middle East, Africa, and Central and South America have left record numbers or refugee families without homes.  America must step up, as we have many times before in our history, and make room for such people to live in our country.  Of course we should run them through background checks (we already do so) – but we should make such checks efficient and transparent.  We need to give people a place to call home. 

Sir, I am lucky enough to have never been homeless.  That is a great gift.  I am sure you have never experienced such a thing either.  But perhaps you can imagine what it must be like to have to huddle with your family in an unsecure shack, with no possibility of meaningful work and no chance to change your situation.  Our country can help make a difference for people such as these.  It is our responsibility, Sir.  Please work toward that end.   

Regards, 

William Boerman-Cornell