The Syrian Refugee crisis has taken the world’s attention and become a problem that every government must pay attention to.  Opinions on the issue are mixed throughout the world and in Virginia Beach.

Since 2011, when the Syrian Civil War erupted, rebel groups have risen up against President Bashar al- Assad’s oppressive rule.  According to World Vision, more than 10.9 million people have been displaced.  The current refuge count is at 4.3 million, with half of them being women and children.

These alarming numbers have led to a Pandora’s box of other issues, such as how to accommodate these refugees into countries where they are granted asylum and as to whether or not they should even receive asylum at all.

According to the Syrian Regional Refugee Response, 991,000 refugees have entered Europe this year alone.  This number is predicted to increase this year.  With the refugee count on the rise, countries, including the United States, have considered the possibility of granting asylum to refugees who are seeking an escape from the violence and terror of the volatile areas they are fleeing.

While there have been many proposals by countless politicians from each party, these opinions have yet to actually be manifested into a plan that deals with the issues at hand.  The President and Congress find themselves at a stalemate, as they often do.

In September, President Barack Obama released his plan to increase the number of refugees admitted into the United States to 10,000.  This plan was quickly met with disdain by many Republican governors and a handful of Democratic leaders, who all pledged to block refugees from gaining asylum within their states.  This was a major setback for those in favor of refugees being granted asylum within the United States.

Overall, 31 governors promised to keep their states refugee free and while legally, no state can block refugees under the authority of the federal law, resistance to President Obama’s measures creates more hoops for refugees and those who support the asylum of refugees to jump through.

Students seem to be mirroring the rest of the country, with many holding different opinions and beliefs regarding the issue.  Junior Michael Lawler feels like our country has too much to worry about, even without the issue of taking in refugees.

“I don’t think refugees should be in our country, they’re not my problem,” said Lawler.

However, sophomore Dominik Lacaze holds a different opinion.

“I don’t mind it, our country is based on immigration,” said Lacaze.

Within our school and within our country, there are people on both sides of this argument.  The refugee crisis has affected millions and its effect on nations around the world will continue to grow until we can find a solution.