Refugee or Terrorist?

[Dakine10 5,452]

Didn't compare them to non-immigrants. Compared them to immigrants, like (as reminder) our own spouses. I believe their identity at a minimum should be established and they should pass at least the available background checks before they are allowed in.

NOTE: Immigrants don't have to show ties to their own countries. That's why it's called "immigration benefits". These aren't tourists. They are re-settling. So the comparisons to visitors weren't made by me and certainly don't apply.

Many of our spouses entered on the non-immigrant K1 fiancee visa. My wife originally entered on a K1. I chose to compare it to non-immigrant visa's.

Either way comparing refugee status to immigrant or non-immigrant visa's is apples to oranges. It is what it is. Refugee status is not comparable either. The regular immigrant criteria is not applicable. They are processed through state department - resettlement.

Anyway the only way to change it is through the legal system. I don't see that happening.

[Expat1 971]

Many of our spouses entered on the non-immigrant K1 fiancee visa. My wife originally entered on a K1. I chose to compare it to non-immigrant visa's.

Either way comparing refugee status to immigrant or non-immigrant visa's is apples to oranges. It is what it is. Refugee status is not comparable either. The regular immigrant criteria is not applicable. They are processed through state department - resettlement.

Anyway the only way to change it is through the legal system. I don't see that happening.

Mine entered on a K3. Though a "non-immigrant" visa, the interview was done in the immigrant section of the embassy as was your fiancé.

With that said, discussion of interviews, or visas, is pointless since what is being referred to is identification and background check. Try to focus. Identification. Background check. Only.

The rest I don't care about. If they don't have to present identification or are not holding identification that's a real problem. In my view. Right now it is my understanding that this is not being done.

[Dakine10 5,452]

Mine entered on a K3. Though a "non-immigrant" visa, the interview was done in the immigrant section of the embassy as was your fiancé.

With that said, discussion of interviews, or visas, is pointless since what is being referred to is identification and background check. Try to focus. Identification. Background check. Only.

The rest I don't care about. If they don't have to present identification or are not holding identification that's a real problem. In my view. Right now it is my understanding that this is not being done.

OK. Calm down. You actually brought up "proving intentions and eligibility at an American consulate".

Refugee's are initially vetted by the state department, then by DHS and the FBI. It takes over a year to complete that. They are also required to have identification.

[Umka36 781]

I'm not sure how it is done now, but when my family went through the refugee process there were a lot of security/background checks (it also was not quick, it took a few years to get approved).

We were also sponsored/hosted by an American family, so I'm not sure if they still do that. We had to repay back the government for our flight here, in case some think it's free. I cannot deny that as refugees we qualified for section 8/food stamp (actually food stamp at the time). As soon as my parents learned English, received job training, got employed, we got out of government assistance. Isn't that the purpose of the assistance?

I am concerned as any other US resident about security, but I think that concern is put in the wrong group of folks. I personally think an attack would more than likely come from home grown, visitors, or sneaking in through our borders. But that's just me.

[ILoveMonica1 43]

I'm not sure how it is done now, but when my family went through the refugee process there were a lot of security/background checks (it also was not quick, it took a few years to get approved).

We were also sponsored/hosted by an American family, so I'm not sure if they still do that. We had to repay back the government for our flight here, in case some think it's free. I cannot deny that as refugees we qualified for section 8/food stamp (actually food stamp at the time). As soon as my parents learned English, received job training, got employed, we got out of government assistance. Isn't that the purpose of the assistance?

I am concerned as any other US resident about security, but I think that concern is put in the wrong group of folks. I personally think an attack would more than likely come from home grown, visitors, or sneaking in through our borders. But that's just me.

What you describe above is exactly what should happen IMO. It appears from stories, videos, bombings etc, that these folks immigrating to Europe don't understand what you describe above. They seem to want to turn their new homes in to the violent hell holes they just left.

[OriZ 3,157]

turkey is part of Middle East, I am not denying it.

But the question is still why the rich Middle East countries like Kuwait, Saudi, UAE not willing to take them in

Turkey is a Mediterranean country. I can't really say that Turkey is part of the middle east a whole lot more than I would be able to say that about, say, Greece or Cyprus. All Mediterranean. The best is to say it's a Eurasian country as it not 100% in any of Europe, Asia, ME. Parts of it belong to these(for instance Edirne, Kırklareli, Tekirdağ, part of Çanakkale and part of Istanbul are in Europe) but not as a whole. The small southeastern part belongs to the ME, but you can't say Turkey is a European/Middle Eastern/Asian country.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Turkey is a Mediterranean country. I can't really say that Turkey is part of the middle east a whole lot more than I would be able to say that about, say, Greece or Cyprus. All Mediterranean. The best is to say it's a Eurasian country as it not 100% in any of Europe, Asia, ME. Parts of it belong to these(for instance Edirne, Kırklareli, Tekirdağ, part of Çanakkale and part of Istanbul are in Europe) but not as a whole. The small southeastern part belongs to the ME, but you can't say Turkey is a European/Middle Eastern/Asian country.

Turkey is the favorite vacation destination for Vermont residents. The white sandy beaches of Ankara are amazing!

[OriZ 3,157]

Turkey is the favorite vacation destination for Vermont residents. The white sandy beaches of Ankara are amazing!

You know, back when I was in Israel I actually went to Turkey on 3 different occasions. Nothing really spectacular, I've been all over the Mediterranean side(Israel, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, etc) at the end of the day it all looks the same.

Maybe Gary feels different about it but I can't say if I wanted to go on a beach vacation my first choice would be Turkey. More like Hawaii, Galapagos or Cozumel for me.

[JohnR! 5,495]

They've been overrun by refugees I hear....

Turkey is the favorite vacation destination for Vermont residents. The white sandy beaches of Ankara are amazing!

[Umka36 781]

What you describe above is exactly what should happen IMO. It appears from stories, videos, bombings etc, that these folks immigrating to Europe don't understand what you describe above. They seem to want to turn their new homes in to the violent hell holes they just left.

I guess I find it hard to compare us with Europe, when we have the ocean as a natural barrier and the time to scrutinize which refugee we let into the US. Europe was flooded with refugees all at once, and at the time their country's border was porous until recently.

Most of what I understand about being a refugee is that you go to the safest country first, and stay in a refugee camp until your home country stabilize (then return) or you apply/get accepted into a new home country and start a new chapter in your life. It was also up to the country to decide who they want to accept, and not the other way around which is what it looks like in Europe.

[Boiler 46,270]

I thought you went to Germany, Sweden and Calais?

[ILoveMonica1 43]

I guess I find it hard to compare us with Europe, when we have the ocean as a natural barrier and the time to scrutinize which refugee we let into the US. Europe was flooded with refugees all at once, and at the time their country's border was porous until recently.

Most of what I understand about being a refugee is that you go to the safest country first, and stay in a refugee camp until your home country stabilize (then return) or you apply/get accepted into a new home country and start a new chapter in your life. It was also up to the country to decide who they want to accept, and not the other way around which is what it looks like in Europe.

Not speaking specifically about refugees, but I know in Thailand they have all these westerners that move there and start complaining about his or that, and my response is usually "go back to where you came from if you don't like it." It bothers me that these folks come to country A from country B and start trying to bring their jacked up ways of doing things with them, and in the case of Paris start killing innocent people because of their belief system.

[Expat1 971]

turkey is part of Middle East, I am not denying it.

But the question is still why the rich Middle East countries like Kuwait, Saudi, UAE not willing to take them in

Seems the travel from those countries is towards not away from Iraq and Syria....

[Expat1 971]

OK. Calm down. You actually brought up "proving intentions and eligibility at an American consulate".

Yes, I did.

It was an exampled answer to the "it's un-American to make a refugee prove he/she is not guilty" comment and not intended for some idiot to interpret it as "OH refugees should file a petition and affidavit of support and attend an interview....."

Edited November 17, 2015 by Expat1

[Expat1 971]

I'm not sure how it is done now, but when my family went through the refugee process there were a lot of security/background checks (it also was not quick, it took a few years to get approved).

We were also sponsored/hosted by an American family, so I'm not sure if they still do that. We had to repay back the government for our flight here, in case some think it's free. I cannot deny that as refugees we qualified for section 8/food stamp (actually food stamp at the time). As soon as my parents learned English, received job training, got employed, we got out of government assistance. Isn't that the purpose of the assistance?

I am concerned as any other US resident about security, but I think that concern is put in the wrong group of folks. I personally think an attack would more than likely come from home grown, visitors, or sneaking in through our borders. But that's just me.

Thanks for the info. One part is a bit fuzzy.

Waiting where to get approved?