In light of the recent events that have unfolded in Germany....

[philosslayer]

With respect to migrants supposedly behaving badly, I'm curious about the attitude of DUers regarding bringing migrants to the U.S.

Should single, male asylum seekers between the ages of 17 and 40 be allowed entry into the U.S.? Yes, without limits, no not at all, or Yes, but only with strict vetting?

And does that apply to ALL single male entrants? Or only those from North African and Arabic countries?

[geek tragedy]

1. From Central/South America, Europe, most of Asia, yes.

North Africa and the Middle East? Nope.

[branford]

4. Misogynistic attitudes and actions are often very culturally prevalent

in many areas of Central/South American, Asia, and Europe, as well as elsewhere besides the Middle East. In fact, outside of certain western, developed countries, it's the norm and not the exception.

Should be limit entry to migrants/refugees only from northwestern Europe, Canada, and Australia?

The issues are not nearly so simple, and I certainly don't have all the answers. I do know that I don't envy Merkel and the other more liberal European leaders who very openly welcomed the migrants and now face the democratic, and very legitimate, discontent of their voters.

[geek tragedy]

5. We don't have this kind of behavioral issue with Guatemalans and Koreans

Roving pack rapists from Ecuador are not an issue, nor have there been any terrorist attacks from the Filipino immigrants.

[branford]

8. True, but the USA similarly doesn't have the same issues as the Europeans.

We aren't faced with roving bands of men of Arab and north African extraction harassing and sexually assaulting women, despite having ample numbers of people here from such communities. Is America simply that much better at assimilation?

Can these problems simply be corrected with better screening of individual applicants, or must we severely limit immigration and refugees from entire regions.

Again, my point is that the issues are very difficult, I don't know the answers, and I don't envy those faced with making such political decisions.

[geek tragedy]

12. we're much better at assimilation, partly because Latin American countries

have a lot more in common with the US than the Arab countries have with Europe.

Also, in terms of socio-political development, Latin American countries are way ahead of North African and Arab ones.

[smirkymonkey]

11. +1000

[Lizzie Poppet]

2. Strict vetting...for everyone.

While targeting those applicants from cultures in which institutionalized, systemic misogyny and high levels of terrorist activity exist would make a certain sense, I'd prefer strict vetting for everyone seeking asylum, work visas, etc. Not to avoid charges of biasso much as because it just makes sense in this desperately fucked-up age.

[philosslayer]

3. So lets say you have a single 25 year old man from Syria

How do you "vet" him? Do you ask him questions and see how he responds? Do you ask his attitude towards women? Does his religion matter?

I'm not asking this to be snarky. With social media, applicants would know what the vetting process is, and any questions that would be asked of them. Obviously, if they wanted to come here, they would tell an interviewer what he wanted to hear (or at least I assume he would). A lot of these guys have no papers whatsoever. No identity to verify. How do you "vet" them?

[Lizzie Poppet]

6. It's a tricky business, isn't it?

I can't say I have good answers to those questions (I have no experience in this area). I know that a (very) well designed and well administered psychological test battery can generally reveal duplicitous behavior in answering those kinds of questions, and would most likely reveal someone trying to fool the tester. That would, of course, slow influx to a trickle. That would suit many (probably the vast majority of) Americans, but it would also basically take us out of the refugee aid game, at least in any meaningful numerical way. Even as a potential target of people like those vermin in Cologne, I'm not sure I'm willing to accept that.

[Jim Beard]

18. Off topic but I would like to see those given to gun owners

[davidn3600]

7. Tashfeen Malik proved you don't have to be male to be a threat

[Bluenorthwest]

9. Two things. First the world has about 15 million refugees at this time located in 30 countries and

10 million are in what the UN calls 'persistent refugee situations' which involve groups of more than 25,000 people displaced for at least 5 years. So this means that children are growing up in refugee camps. So part of what is wrong about massive criminal behavior among new arrivals is that they got homes and support that is greatly needed by people who are not going to commit crimes and assault women.
Second is the fact that Muslim countries very much expect complete and total compliance with their own local customs even from short term visitors so it is really difficult to buy into the idea that it is somehow incorrect to expect reciprocity. So stop acting as if it is incorrect. It's not.

[mwrguy]

10. All are innocent until proven guilty. No one should be denied entry because of their faith/origin

Let them all come unless there is proof that a specific individual is a dangerous criminal.

[snagglepuss]

16. That's what Germany did and look at the result. Not an option.

Perhaps a solution is requiring men to pass lie detector tests

[mwrguy]

17. A solution?

Would that be a final one?

Muslims will not go down that route.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

13. There have always been lawbreakers/attackers/animals in any sizeable group.

My answer to your question: yes, bring them in. But let it be known that you're on a fast jet back to Assad if you don't respect our laws. I'd say that gives us better leverage than we have with some of our own domestic criminal element.

[branford]

14. It's illegal under domestic and international law to deport someone to an unsafe country,

and people cannot just be deported anywhere, no matter their criminal conduct.

Much of Europe is learning this legal lesson, and it underlies the need for VERY strict screening and review.

[bhikkhu]

15. My opinion is unchanged, and existing vetting procedures are adequate

I don't think most people know how hard it is to get a visa to the US...if a terrorist wanted to come here, a student visa is still the easiest way. Refugee visas are next to impossible to get and take years.