Antelope High School

Home of the Titans

Principal, John Becker
Phone: (916)782-6565 ext. 1047

Matthew A. Mark
7801 Titan Drive
Antelope Ca, 95843
Governor Jerry Brown
C/o State Capital, Suite 1173
Sacramento, Ca 95814
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Matthew Mark and I am 1 year, 8 months, and 3 days away from casting my first vote as a
Californian. My Honors English class has recently been studying the Syrian Crisis at my school and I have
some concerns I would like to share with you. With the U.S. indicating the intention of admitting 10,000 Syrian
refugees over 2016, I am concerned with the growing possibility of a jihadist slipping through the screening
process and committing a terrorist act in our country.
Since the start of the Syrian Civil War in March, 2011, about 470,000 people have perished as a result of
violence and poor living conditions. Currently, Syrias government and opposition forces battle for control of
key positions, such as Aleppo, Syrias largest city. As a result of the violence, over 4 million Syrians have fled
their homes to become refugees. The Obama administration has planned to take in 10,000 refugees and relocate
them across the U.S. in this year. This plan has received many opinions both for and against (Report paints
devastating picture of Syria's people: 11.5% killed or hurt).

Some have compared this situation to the refugee crisis in World War 2, with regard to the emigration of Jewish
populations. While certain aspects are similar, such as the mass immigration of a population, and prejudice
and immigration restrictions from countries receiving the refugees, one significant difference that arises is
the fact that There was no international conspiracy of German Jews attempting to carry out daily
attacks on civilians on several continents," (Jews' tale plays out again as Syrian refugees find resistance
to U.S. entry). It is this one main difference that changes the approach to dealing with this current crisis.

Let me state for the record that I believe these refugees deserve asylum. America was founded by immigrants
for immigrants. But if guaranteeing their safety puts risk to U.S. citizens, better precautions are needed than
what we already have in place. A recent terrorist attack occurred in the city of San Bernardino, California. An
Islamic woman, with the help of her U.S.-born husband, passed a screening process for immigrants of Pakistan.
Their attack in San Bernardino was only 77 miles away from where my sister was attending college at UCLA. I
ask myself whats to stop a similar attack at UCLA. Other countries that accepted Middle-Eastern immigrants
have been attacked, too, like Belgium and France. Clearly the current way of filtering out terrorists is not
effective. We are living in a different environment where terrorists exist at home and abroad. Terrorism is a type
of war that we havent had to seriously consider until the past few decades. We are fighting against a radicalized
religious belief. If the U.S. wants to help those outside America, then they need to first ensure U.S. citizens are
safe.

4635 Elverta Road, Antelope, CA 95843

Antelope High School

Home of the Titans
Principal, John Becker
Phone: (916)782-6565 ext. 1047

In conclusion, my opinion is the current refugee crisis is different from any other that America has had in its
history. While ensuring refugees are provided shelter, the government also needs to guarantee U.S citizens are
safe from any terrorist activity resulting from security-cleared refugees. So I believe the Senator should vote
Yes to allowing these refugees to enter the United States with the provision that the current screening process is
upgraded and improved significantly.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Matthew A. Mark
Antelope High School Student
Respectful. Responsible. Proud
GO TITANS!

4635 Elverta Road, Antelope, CA 95843