Reversal of Fortunes for Syrian Refugees

It began with the best of intentions. Another war-torn country facing unimaginable suffering with western countries trying to do the right thing by stepping up to the plate and offering a new beginning for families caught amid the constant shelling from above.

There have been times throughout recent history when first world nations have extended the life-changing offer of refugee status on an emergency basis to accommodate a large scale influx of foreigners in peril, however, the mass migration of Syrians to Europe and North America is without precedent in terms of sheer volume. So much so, that a sense of buyer’s remorse has taken hold, forcing some well-meaning politicians to back-peddle on pledges made to those who have less than nothing.

The overly ambitious plan to resettle millions of Syrians in western countries that are themselves struggling to keep their economies afloat and their citizens working was perhaps an exercise in futility. The sacrifices being requested of first world nations were met with legitimate questions of how so many with such little education or the ability to speak the language could be integrated into the adoptive homes that had precious little time to prepare. From finding warm weather clothing, to locating affordable housing, to identifying established communities of Syrian heritage, the timeline to execute such audacious plans was too daunting.

There were well-publicized reports of Syrian refugees decrying their temporary conditions once entering their adoptive homes. To some, the refugees seemed ungrateful or felt entitled.  In Canada, personnel were evicted from their homes on military bases targeted to house incoming refugees. Cities such as Vancouver begged Trudeau’s government to slow down the gorging river of refugees, as they realized how overwhelmed they were in attempting to secure and commit the resources necessary to tend to a people whose previous emigrants were few in number.

Germany accepted 1.2 million Syrian refugees, a sticking point with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s electorate who vow to make her pay dearly the next time votes are cast. Her spin to soften her position is to now say the refugees are temporary, citing those from the former Yugoslavia, 70% of which returned to their homeland. That still leaves 30% more than 20 years later.

The Danish are demanding refugees surrender valuables upon arrival as a hedge against that country’s well developed social structure from imploding under the weight of its new inhabitants. Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has even called for the abolishment of the UN refugee convention of 1951.

In the United States, where an election this year to choose the next President has created controversial statements from frontrunners regarding immigration in general, many are questioning the wisdom in accepting so many refugees while `there is a war going on with them`.

Back in Canada, a country upheld as a model of the multicultural cauldron, Syrian refugees face a steep uphill battle to master the English language as a fundamental necessity to compete for employment in an arena already filled to capacity amid a crumbled economy. Even with the short term assistance provided by Justin Trudeau`s Liberals, and not without its own vocal opposition attached, one can only wonder how sustainable it is to import low-skilled masses before regret manifests itself into hostility.