By Hailey Tran

Lowell, MA – For decades, this City has been a tapestry of multicultural respite for refugees and immigrants fleeing war, persecution and economic distress.  

It’s no surprise there is talk of refugees from Syria soon to become a part of the community’s ethnic fabric.  

Communities are opening up their arms to those in need and refuge. Mayors of the immigration Action Coalition have been reported saying “We will welcome the Syrian families to make homes and new lives in our cities. The United States is in a position to lead a global narrative of inclusion and support.”
Syrians fleeing to Europe from civil war in the Middle East don’t want to live in refugee camps, according to recent news reports.

Word has spread about the poor conditions in the camps and the families seek a better life.  

Eastern European countries, overrun by the droves of refugees, offer no choice. Hungary recently built a wall to fortify their border against refugees.

Syrian, refugees currently within the Hungarian border, resist efforts by the police move them into temporary camps.

The Syrian families hope to continue on to Germany whose president, Angela Merkel, recently promised a place for them.

While the families are desperately grasping at a normal life, the United Nations has asked other countries to bear part of the burden as well.

America has stepped in to become the “beacon of hope and land of second chances,” said Kerry, recently in front of German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier at a news conference, according to the Huffington Post.

Meanwhile, resettlement agencies, organizations which help refugees and immigrants resettle, prepare for the influx which is sure to come.

One local type of agency, International Institute of Lowell,  expects a number of Syrian families to resettle in Lowell in the coming months.

12 million Syrians have been displaced from their homes and more than half of these are moving all over Europe.

It’s no surprise that the United States of America is stepping in to lessen the burden.

America accepts hundreds of thousands of refugees every year.  As a result of the ongoing Syrian civil war approximately 70,000 more than usual will be entering our country, .  

In fact, 10,000 more people entering will be Syrian, according to The White House, reported from CNN.

Immigration in our country is trying to be very flexible with the situation at hand while keeping it safe, according to Secretary of State Kerry.

According to our staff, the LHS community is very supportive and welcoming of those who choose to take refuge here in our city.

Rumors of their arrival have already been flying around and much of the responses include positive feedback.

“I believe the Syrians coming to our school is a wonderful opportunity to interact among a diverse body of students,” said Model UN advisor Amanda Ernst.

Not only are our staff anticipating the Syrians arrival, students are too.

“I do believe they will become a part of our community with no complications at all. They are human like the rest of us and deserve the same treatment we receive, ” said Mya Stafford, a LHS sophomore, about the new students. “I will gladly converse and interact with them when I come across one of our new students.”

Lowell, a city historically welcoming to newcomers, appears to again be ready as refuge and home to another group of newcomers.