Refugees: Is there room for a middle ground?

To gain support in democracies, politicians often engage in symbolic politics

The debate over whether or not to bring in more refugees in the U.S. continues. There seems to be a sharp division within civil society, the media and public opinion as to the best course of action toward refugees.

But my research shows that there is room for building a middle ground, where both American aspirations to welcome refugees and security concerns can be reconciled.

Ambivalent views

The American public has always been ambivalent regarding refugees. Although public discourses tend to emphasize pride in the U.S. tradition of receiving refugees, studies have highlighted that,