The risk of an anti-migrant backlash after Paris attacks

(Vatican Radio)  Could we see a backlash against refugees and migrants fleeing from Syria and other nations in the wake of the Paris terror attacks? That’s a question some are asking after more than a dozen U.S. states said Syrian refugees are no longer welcome due to security fears and some European countries are calling for a closing of borders to stop migrants arriving there. Father Tom Smolich, International Director of Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), acknowledged this backlash is a risk but said many of the immediate reactions to the terrorist attacks arise from fear and called for the international community to move beyond its fears to make “a reasonable and appropriate response to this tragedy.” He spoke to Susy Hodges.

Listen to the interview with Father Tom Smolich, International Director of JRS:  

Father Smolich says some voices in the political and even in the religious sphere “are using the Paris attacks” to push the views they already had. He said it’s important to remember that the refugees from Syria are fleeing exactly “the same type of attacks” as Paris witnessed last week and like everybody they have a right “to seek safety.” 

According to Father Smolich, some of the reactions or decision made in the wake of the Paris attacks “come out of fear” and he explained that fear tends to “always bring out our worse” (instincts). Fear, he said, is not acting according “to the gospel,” and called for the international community to move beyond fear “to make a reasonable and appropriate response to this tragedy.”