United States and Latin America Pledge to Take More Syrian Refugees

After growing pressure, President Obama has directed the U.S. government to accept 10,000 refugees from Syria in the next fiscal year. As refugees they are eligible for Medicaid and become permanent residents authorized to work in the country. After a year, they are eligible for a green card, and five years later they can become a United States citizen.

Latin America countries are also now vowing to do more to take in Syrian Refugees. Leaders from Brazil, Panama, and Chile have all pledged to welcome fleeing Syrians and Iraqis. Venezuela has agreed on allowing 20,000 of their ally Syria’s victims, one of the only countries to give a definite amount. The irony in Venezuela’s offer stands as they have deported hundreds of Columbians and are in the midst of a major border shutdown. Venezuela also suffers from shortage of basic goods, high inflation, and the highest murder rate in the world.

Brazil currently has taken in the most Syrians, with 2,000 seeking refuge since 2011, more than any other Latin American country. Syrians currently stand as the largest refugee group in Brazil. President Dilma Rousseff has announced that she hopes Brazil will welcome refugees “with open arms.”

Although Uruguay has already accepted 42 Syrians as refugees, these Syrians are now protesting claiming that the cost of living is too high. Some have even tried to escape back to Syria, but were detained in Turkey and sent back to South America. Uruguay has promised to take 117 more people from the refugee camps in Lebanon.