Editor, Times-Union: The question of whether or not to admit Syrian refugees into America is something of a hot topic at the moment. Those against letting in the refugees say that letting in refugees is dangerous and a matter of national security. Those advocating for the admittance of the refugees claim that the refugees are merely people in need, who are trying to escape the violence and terror from their home country. Both sides have validity to their claims, which is why we need to meet somewhere in the middle on this issue. Does letting in Syrian refugees pose a threat to national security? Absolutely. Sneaking in amongst a mass of refugees would be the perfect way for ISIS operatives to gain access into the U.S. However, I am also confident that most of the refugees really are exactly that – refugees. They are here for what we originally came here for, to escape an oppressive power and to be granted opportunity. That being said, our lawmakers and leaders must come together and find a solution to this issue. We must come together and develop a way to insure that each and every last refugee let into our country is not a member of ISIS. If we cannot do that, we cannot let them in. It only takes one terrorist, out of thousands of refugees, to wreak havoc on innocent Americans. We are a country of immigrants, and we should open our arms to those in need, but not at the expense of the safety and lives of the American people. Evan McKinley Leesburg, via email
