Jessica Delos Reyes

March 14, 2017

Mrs. Yuasa
Expository Writing 1

The Land of the Free

America is known as the Land of the Free. We thrive on the freedom brought upon citizens,
but can we still extend this practice to people in need? In the last few years, American ideals have
split, divided, and have moved into a group that is pro refugees, while the other group is anti
refugees. Both sides pose enormous sacrifices for this country, but which side will be beneficial for
all? Its only a matter of time before we see these results unfold, but till then, getting perspective of of
the whole picture will open eyes so that all people can choose: pro refugees or anti refugees?
With all differences aside, the U.S. chooses to extend its capable hands to aid those in need,
with refugees being part of this group. We accept the needy and the helpless, and we do this despite
the circumstances - most of the time. Refugees can bring positive change and enrich our culture and
society. They are also in the middle of harmful and unsafe locations back in their home countries. This
is why the U.S. should admit more refugees from war-torn countries.
One thing America has come to be known for is its amazing humanitarianism. Its true; we
normally try to help the people who need us. According to Jeff Bloodworth, a history professor and
department head at Gannon University, Obama's first humanitarian intervention was multilateral and
restrained, designed merely to stop an imminent massacre and offer Libyans an opportunity to
overthrow dictator Muammar Qaddafi themselves (Bloodworth). By saying this, he discusses an
instance of where America showed its compassion to another country by joining them in the fight for
survival. As a country known to help those around us, it isnt hard to understand why accepting
refugees isnt an issue. As a country, we live to serve the ones who cant serve themselves.
Immigrants as well as refugees have played a major role in the development of our nation.
There are many brilliant minds in this population of people who have yet to be recognized. For
example, Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, immigrated to the United States with his family from the
Soviet Union at the age of six.. As of 2014, Google.com is the most visited website in the world, and
the company is worth almost $395 billion, making it the second most valuable company in the United
States (Renew Our Economy). This immigrant created one of the most dependable sites in the
world. There are also people like Daniel Marot, a refugee, who according to Refugee Week, was the
architect that designed the Hampton Court Palace. Without his efforts, the beautiful Hampton Court
Palace wouldve just been a dream. These people deserve a place where they can fully grow and
thrive, and they are able to do this in America.
The beautiful country of America is the land of hope and opportunity; a new beginning for those
who have been negatively affected by war in their homes. They are at risk of such things as
bombardment and violence from all sides in Syria, which has included barrel bombing and gas
attacks; or torture, repression and enslavement by their own government in Eritrea (amnesty.org.uk).
Americans may never really understand the fear that these refugees lives have been built on. It must
be noticed and seen that innocent people are fighting to make a long and hard trip overseas in hopes
of reaching a better place where they wont be in danger. It should be second nature for us to see that
their efforts arent unnoticed and that there is something we can do to aid them in their journey for
freedom.
The intention is great, but there are people who dont view refugees in this manner. They see
the flaws and possible consequences of allowing strangers into the nation, especially after the ISIS
attack in Paris. On November 13, 2015, a series of coordinated terror attacks across Paris, France
left 130 dead and 268 injured. On November 14, Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the
attacks (Long). According to Katy Long, from the Century Foundation, there was a stir in national
security after it was discovered that some of the attackers entered in as Syrian refugees. Not
knowing the agendas of those entering the country, it would be hard to feel safe. Should this issue
keep the majority of innocent from safety and refuge?
America is known as the Land of the Free, but refusing to share this freedom with the ones
who need it the most disrupts this belief. Its when we can fully put our fears aside that makes the
biggest difference in the lives of others. With anything, there are risks, but shutting a whole operation
down for a small risk isnt justified. There are people in need and should be offered our support and
refuge.

Works Cited
Bloodworth, Jeff. "Humanitarian Intervention: The American Experience from William McKinley to
Barack Obama | Origins: Current Events in Historical Perspective." Humanitarian Intervention:
The American Experience from William McKinley to Barack Obama | Origins: Current Events in
Historical Perspective. The Goldberg Center, June 2012. Web. 16 Mar. 2017. This article talked
about the humanitarianism of America and the things Barack Obama did to help other countries
fight for their freedom. This is a useful source because it shows other instances in which
America was compassionate for another place in the world and did what it could to help. If there
was compassion then, there should be compassion now with refugees.
"A Day Without Immigrant Made Inventions." Partnership for a New American Economy. New
American Economy, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2017. This article talked about important inventions made
by people who weren't born in the United States. The example used from this site was about the
co-founder of Google, and how his work became an important part of society and education
today. This is a useful source because it shows how important immigrants and refugees are to
our culture. They've made many wonderful impacts.
"Famous Refugees." Refugee Week. Refugee Week, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2017. This site gave
information on famous refugees who have impacted American society by what they do. The
example taken from this site was about Daniel Marot who was the architect that built Hampton
Court Palace. His work created a masterpiece that wouldn't exist without his amazing creativity
and thinking. This is a useful source because it shows how useful refugees are.
Long, Katy. "Why America Could-and Should-Admit More Syrian Refugees." The Century Foundation.
The Century Foundation, 20 Apr. 2016. Web. 16 Mar. 2017. The main argument of this article is
that refugees belong in America and shouldn't be kept from finding their freedom here. It
explains the possible risks, but how that should not stop refugees from coming. This is a useful
source because it supports my argument of why America should still be accepting of these
people in need.
"The Truth About... Refugees." Amnesty International. Amnesty International, 2015. Web. 16 Mar.
2017. This article gave information on the war-torn areas that refugees come from and why it
isn't safe to stay in those areas. It talks about the bombings, gas attacks, and torture that occurs.
This is a useful source because it gives another reason to provide refugees with a better place
to call home.
Tuohy, Dan. "Pausing Syrian Refugee Program Makes Sense." EBSCO Host. New Hampshire Union
Leader, 2015. Web. 15 Mar. 2017. This article was used to understand the position of those who
don't want to accept refugees in America. They are too scared of the possible risks and
consequences, especially after the recent ISIS attacks. This is a useful source because it gives
perspective for the counter-argument.