Syrian refugees fleeing their war torn homeland are seeking safety in countries like America where they can live potentially safer and happier lives. However, there are citizens from each state who may not want to accept the refugees because of the potential threats to national security.

Results from a poll of 100 students show 68 percent do worry about potential problems entering the United States with the Syrian Refugees.

“I feel like the U.S. government is not at all handling the Syrian refugee crisis,” sophomore Alicia Pethers said. “I feel like they need to leave. We are one of their biggest targets, so we probably shouldn’t let them in our country.”  

European countries have tried to take in Syrian refugees with varying results. In Greece, some refugees had to be evacuated and were moved to sub-standard conditions with insufficient food and water and other amenities, according to AP.

Citizens for accepting refugees believe some people should consider what would happen to the families if they were to continue living in the midst of the civil war, or that the refugees are forced out of their own homes and may not even want to leave.

“I think the people who don’t want the refugees should put themselves in their shoes and try to see what they’ve been through and treat them as if they were your neighbor, closest friend or family member,” sophomore Jeffrey Machleit said. “We are all human and should help each other out. I think we should be open to help people. Be right to people.”

In Grand Rapids, a refugee processing center was recently built to help the refugees find a place to settle. Michigan has a very diverse economy, and not only is the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the United States located here, but we also have the first majority-Muslim city of America in Hamtramck.

“It’s cool,” senior Ethan Williams said. “Now we’re going to have a lot more immigrants in Michigan. It’s like a brand new Ellis Island.”

The crisis is a growing concern throughout the states as each state decides whether it will even accept any Syrian refugees. The state of Michigan is torn between whether it will be accepting any refugees at all, but the Obama Administration is currently planning on sending 5,100 of the total 10,000 immigrants coming to the U.S. to Michigan.