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Governor Hogan: Refugees are not terrorists.

"I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”—Matthew 25:36-40

Governor Hogan, we urge you to stand with us in welcoming refugees to Maryland from the war-torn places of this world.

Refugees are human beings.

In the past few days we have shared in the expression of grief and sympathy for the people of France, Lebanon, and Russia. We condemn all violence that threatens human dignity and safety; in particular we condemn the violence that is the result of actions claimed by a group that calls itself the "Islamic State" that has caused the displacement of half the people of Syria.  

We are aware, too, that violence has entered our borders before. However, refugees are not the people bringing violence into our state nor our country. Since 9/11, the United States has made itself a home to over 750,000 refugees. Not one has been arrested on domestic terrorism charges [1].

We find that closing our borders is not an action based in the world of reality, but in the fictions of fear. It is not refugees who are bringing violence to our homes; they are the ones seeking to escape violence. The fear-driven mindset that moves us to close our borders is the same mindset that was shared by 67% of Americans toward Jewish refugees in 1938. Only 5% supported allowing them into our borders [2].

The result of this xenophobic attitude is on display only miles away from Maryland’s capital at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. We should hope never to allow the need for such a museum to exist when we have the power to do something today.

Showing that we are afraid of refugees by closing the borders of our state hands victory to those who would bring terror. It shows that their terror stretches beyond the lands that refugees are fleeing and the fear they sow can paralyze a population here in Maryland. We are deeply disappointed that our state is caving to a message of fear instead of broadcasting the strength and confidence that is borne of compassion for those who are hurting. We feel that Marylanders are strong, compassionate people, who will not give way to fear.

Governor Hogan, we urge you to stand with us in welcoming refugees to Maryland from the war-torn places of this world.