Welcome Refugees to Nebraska

"Defeating ISIS involves projecting American ideals to the world. Governors who reject those fleeing war and persecution abandon our ideals and instead project our fears to the world." ---Council on American-Islamic Relations

When entering the State of Nebraska a familiar sign displays three powerful words that demonstrate the qualities of our state: “The Good Life.” If this is a motto that can be so proudly displayed to all visitors, we should also give refugees this very life in Nebraska.

Following the attack on Paris, Governor Pete Ricketts has issued a statement from his administration that prohibits the federal government from allowing Syrian and Iraqi refugees to be resettled in Nebraska. Gov. Ricketts and his administration have made this decision without the people's voices in mind. We must show Gov. Ricketts and the government that Nebraska is a state full of people that will welcome refugees.

We urge you to sign this petition for the safety and sanctity of so many people who are fleeing the terror and violence in their home countries. By signing this petition, you ask Gov. Ricketts and his administration to rescind their decision concerning refugees.

Though the state government does not have the legislative power to deny refugees, Gov. Ricketts and his administration are trying to discourage the federal government and refugee agencies from resettling refugees in Nebraska. Gov. Ricketts has a right to state his opinion, but his words carry the influence of an entire state. We must prevent Gov. Ricketts from discouraging the resettlement of refugees in Nebraska. His letter objects to allowing refugees in Nebraska based on the invalid concern that refugees pose a threat to our safety.

The letter is posted here: http://tinyurl.com/qcm5zbr

Nebraska, in the past has welcomed Sudanese, Vietnamese, Pakistani, Iraqi, and Iranian refugees, and has allowed for our state to grow in diversity and culture. Many of these countries are home to terrorist groups and various other violent ideologies. That does NOT mean the refugees bear those qualities of terrorism and violence. They are simply innocent people trying to escape an environment of danger and oppression. People seeking refugee status undergo rigorous background checks before entering the United States. They pose no realistic threat to the United States. A major reason the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the Paris attack was to label ALL refugees as dangerous in order to deny them safety and sanctuary. That was their goal, and our state government is supporting their goal by succumbing to the fear and paranoia that terrorism brings. We must not paint innocent refugees as terrorists because of their ethnicity or religion. Please open your eyes, people of Nebraska and Gov. Ricketts. In this time of crisis, we must offer safety to those who are victims of violence and terror. It is our responsibility as Americans to welcome refugees. Again, we urge you to sign this petition to ensure the safety of these refugees. We urge Gov. Ricketts and his administration to rescind their decision to discourage the resettlement of refugees in Nebraska.