OPINION

Viewpoint: Oklahoma is right to welcome Afghan refugees

Dr. Noel Jacobs
Guest Columnist
Dr. Noel Jacobs

Afghan citizens, like all humans, deserve safety, community and opportunity, and Oklahoma is opening its arms to them. Because of that , I am especially proud to be a lifelong Okie.  

Many, if not most, of the refugees arriving worked with or for the U.S. and our allies. Their lives would seriously be in danger if they remained in Afghanistan. That is why it is unfortunate that those seeking safety in our state are being met with suspicion and unfounded accusations, especially from political leadership.  

In his public videos, John Bennett, chair of the Oklahoma GOP, asserts we should not trust Islam as a whole or Afghan people specifically, with no explanation of the differences between culture, regionalism, political warfare and basic tenets of faith. He again displays blatant bigotry and dehumanization of people different from himself. In his videos, Bennett tries to argue that accepting refugees is not safe because the vetting system is untrustworthy. He wants us to believe Afghan citizens are terrorists who want to harm us.  

Information is publicly available about the United States’ vetting process for refugees (one of the most rigorous in the world) and its safety record. Conservative think tank CATO Institute looked at acts of terrorism in the United States in the past 40 years by foreign-born peoples and found no deaths by acts of terrorism were ever at the hands of Afghan refugees. According to the same study, the risk of an average U.S. citizen to be killed by ANY refugee is 0.000000003%.  Refugees are fleeing oppressive or murderous regimes, and are here to survive, not to cause harm. 

Without question, I thank former Rep. Bennett for his service to our country and his willingness to try and protect Americans and our interests. Nevertheless, in America, and in Oklahoma, most — certainly those of faith — believe in the Golden Rule.  

The people of Afghanistan have been in a terrible ordeal over the last 20 years, caused by wars fought “on their behalf.”  They have lost loved ones, resource security and a sense of their personal safety, all central to the well-being for every human. To abandon them to suffering or death when we are able to help is not acceptable. That should be abundantly clear to any person of faith, especially our leaders. 

Our duty is to be ready to help those suffering, and Oklahoma has a long history of welcoming immigrants and refugees. Had Bennett’s fearmongering held sway in Oklahoma when the Vietnamese community immigrated, Oklahoma City would not have some of the beautiful diversity and culturally significant contributions we now enjoy.    

We, the good people of Oklahoma of all faiths and no faiths, welcome refugees with open arms regardless of their own faith or country of origin. We know through the test of history our vetting process is safe, and we can provide a compassionate home for people harmed by war and political conflict. We welcome the friendship and opportunities the incoming refugee families will bring and are honored to be a part of their healing. We will work to help create a new life for them here in our beloved state. By helping them be the best they can be, we, too, become the best we can be.    

Dr. Noel Jacobs is a local psychologist and president of the Interfaith Alliance Foundation of Oklahoma.