Today we welcome refugees from Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia. In 2014, more than 2,800 refugees from countless countries arrived in Washington, and no one demanded we send them back to where they came from.

Similar stories can be told about other states, some of which were, until recently, warm and opening to Syrian refugees. That’s why it is disheartening to see how easily people turn their backs on human suffering — even more so when the ones turning their backs are those who were chosen to lead.

America has been swayed by fear before. And we’ve lived to regret it. My home is on Bainbridge Island, a small island across Puget Sound from Seattle. It was the first place in the nation where Japanese-Americans were subjected to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Exclusion Orders. These Washingtonians were marched to the docks by soldiers and sent to internment camps.

They spent years in the camps, even while their own sons served honorably in the armed forces. That wasn’t consistent with who we are as a country, and today we look back at that period with shame and regret. We are a nation built on holding dear our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our humanity and our relationship with the rest of the world.

It’s easy to lose your way in moments like this when we are so fearful. Fear is powerful. The terrorist attacks in France struck deep, and we have a legitimate concern for our safety and security.

There is no guarantee that the same thing can’t happen here, and no way to erase all risk. Governors are correct to demand that the federal government conduct the most thorough review of refugee applications. However, I’ve spoken with federal officials about this and they feel confident about the in-depth and robust process that is in place for all political refugees, with extra precautions for those fleeing Syria. It is the toughest process anyone has to go through to enter the United States — much harder than, say, for people on tourist visas. I know that I and other governors will be vigilant in insisting that the federal government continues that and helps keep our citizens safe.

People are right to be angry and hurting because 129 innocent people who thought they were safe were slaughtered in Paris. But we cannot condemn all Syrians or all Muslims for those heinous acts. America has been victimized by domestic and foreign terrorists. The blame for those acts should be with the radicals who committed them, not any religion, race or country of origin.

I don’t deny or condemn the fear that has swelled since the Paris attacks. But fear can be overcome. We can take a deep breath, stand up straight and make a realistic assessment of risk. And we can’t forget the times we have been tested, both when we’ve failed and when we’ve succeeded.