When Refugees become the Refusers (Archive)

It’s another busy day in the city of Yerevan, Armenia’s bustling capital city. Much has changed in this city since the fall of the Soviet Union. Only 20 years ago Yerevan was a city in economic and social disarray and stagnation, where electricity and running water were rationed and grocery stores lacked the most basic items. Much has been rebuilt, and the monolithic, gray apartment towers of the communist era are slowly being replaced by modern high-rises. Everywhere, one can see new businesses of all kinds springing up. Trendy cafes, restaurants, and Western shops are all taking their place in the city landscape.

Slotting into this bustling city are the storefronts of hundreds of hopeful entrepreneurs. Their Armenian dialect is hard to understand, and they are unfamiliar with the new place they now call home. These are ethnic Armenians from Syria, whose descendants had lived there for generations. Conflict in the early 20^th century compelled them to move to Syria, and now conflict has compelled them to come to the Republic of Armenia. Ever resourceful and industrious, many of these refugees were forced to leave behind well-established businesses and lives and reestablish themselves in a land where they knew no one. I had the chance to visit many of these businesses during my recent trip to the birthplace of my mother. From high-end jewelry stores to American-inspired waffle houses, some of the most popular businesses in Armenia have become those founded by refugees.

The victim of genocide, ethnic strife, and world war, the people of Armenia are no stranger to being refugees. Millions of Armenians found safe haven in countries such as the United States, France, Canada, Argentina, and countless other nations worldwide. One of these refugees was an Armenian named Kirk Kerkorian, who went on to become one of the most celebrated American entrepreneurs of his time. He became one of the principle architects of the casino-studded Las Vegas we know today and was a major force in the American auto-industry. His life and that of countless others stand as a testament to the great contributions refugees have made for America

It is no secret that America has long pledged itself to be a haven for the “poor, huddled masses” and a “land of the plenty”. And yet, between 2011 and 2016, the United States took in only approximately 18,007 refugees via its resettlement program. This is a stunningly low figure. Canada took in more than twice that number, and over a million refugees are now finding refuge in Western Europe.

Throughout history, the United States has repeatedly experienced bouts of xenophobia. These were often caused by mass migrations when peoples from troubled lands traveled to America, hoping to find stability and opportunity. It is hard to believe now that only half a century ago the ire of xenophobic Americans was directed primarily at Catholic immigrants. Germans and Italians fleeing political turmoil, and the Irish fleeing famine, became the central focus of nativist dogma. These peoples found themselves victims of discrimination and outright hostility. 

An example is the story of a German barber who was deported along with his family from their native Bavaria, as a penalty for evading the military draft imposed upon him. In a letter to the Prince Regent of Bavaria, this man begged not to be deported stating “We were paralyzed with fright, our happy family life was tarnished. My wife has been overcome by anxiety, and my lovely child has become sick,". But, the impassioned plea was ignored, and the man was deported along with his family, finding refuge in the United States. The name of this man was Friedrich Trump, the grandfather of real estate mogul and the 45^th president of the United States, Donald Trump.

And herein lies the enduring schizophrenia of American reactions to immigration. We are a nation of immigrants, but many of us are not quick to welcome other immigrants. Donald Trump’s wealth and success would have been impossible were it not for his grandfather being allowed into the United States, and yet our current president seeks to take away that lifeline from others who seek safe haven in our nation. It is no secret that he is now one of the most outspoken proponents of racist, xenophobic, and nativist dogma.  

Not only are the attempts by this administration and others to slam the door on the huddled masses of the world unprecedented, but it is counter to everything that we as Americans should value. Our nation derives its greatness because of its status as a melting pot, where different people, perspectives and ideas can coalesce. Our greatest historic achievements would have been impossible without the great minds of refugees such as Albert Einstein, Madeline Albright, or immigrants such as Nikola Tesla. We celebrate the legacies of immigrant families such as the Kennedys, and we listen to music from immigrants such as Rihanna and Justin Bieber.

We celebrate these things, because as Americans our history has shown us that differences and diversity are not weaknesses but represent our greatest strength as a nation and a world power.

Today, we are faced with a world full of millions of people who wish for stability and prosperity. They hope to strive for and achieve the same ideals and economic prospects that our country espouses. The vast majority of them are people, just like you or me. They raise families, harbor aspirations for greener pastures, and work hard to try and achieve those dreams. 

The world calls us to do more to aid the plight of millions of innocents trapped in warzones and gripped by humanitarian crises. Our legacy demands that we do more. It is not acceptable that a nation as prosperous and welcoming as ours should be so cold and willfully ignorant of the suffering of millions.

We can do better than that.