Forum explores issues Syrian refugees would face in R.I.
Carol Kozma Journal Staff Writer CarolKozma
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Governor Raimondo has said Rhode Island would take in Syrian refugees. But the question people tackled Wednesday night at a forum at the Refugee Dream Center was: Then what?
How will refugees find jobs? How will they learn about American culture and foods? How will refugee children adapt to school?
About 20 people made suggestions, including that volunteers could bring refugees to grocery stores and teach them about foods they don't know. Another person suggested students should learn about refugees so they can welcome them when they arrive.
Omar Bah, founder and executive director at the center, said he hoped Rhode Island could be a model for other states.
To start off the meeting, some people shared their struggles of fleeing their homes and adapting to a new country.
Charles Kamugisha, who said he fled Rwanda when he was 10 and lived in Congo and other countries before moving to the United States, told those gathered that refugees do not leave because they do not love their country.
"People want to kill you," he said, adding his father was shot several times but survived. "You are running away because of fear."
The American vetting process would not allow terrorists posing as Syrian refugees to enter the country, he said, addressing concerns many have had after the attacks in Paris.
"There's interviews involved and it's a long process … they have to ask you many questions, they have to do investigations, and also go back to where you're coming from," he said, describing the process his family went through with American agencies.
Hasan Alsawaf, who said he was a Syrian American, added that many Syrians already in the country would sponsor their family members. Alsawaf said his mother and a sister are still living in Damascus.
To Alsawaf, whether or not to bring 10,000 refugees into the country should not be up for debate.
"We should vet and bring them in," he said. "America is the leader of the world."
Bernard Georges, founder of New Bridges for Haitian Success, said outside the meeting, "Imagine to leave your home, the place you were born, to leave your family."
"I believe the refugees deserve a fair shot to live American dreams," he said, adding Rhode Island should continue to show solidarity, unity and collaboration.
ckozma@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @CarolKozma