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Trump's Action Against Refugees Troubles Edgewater Mom Who Helped In Greece

EDGEWATER, N.J., — An Edgewater physician is disappointed by U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to sign executive orders that would limit the country's acceptance of Syrian refugees. 

Edgewater physician Kelly Griffin volunteered to provide healthcare to Syrian refugees. She is distraught by U.S. President Donald Trump's move to ban refugees from several countries.

Edgewater physician Kelly Griffin volunteered to provide healthcare to Syrian refugees. She is distraught by U.S. President Donald Trump's move to ban refugees from several countries.

Photo Credit: Kelly Griffin

Trump is expected to sign an executive order that will temporarily ban refugees from Syria and six other Middle Eastern and African countries, a congressional official said.

"The vetting process through which [refugees] have until now been screened for entry into the United States is incredibly thorough," said Griffin, a mom.

"These are not terrorists 'sneaking in,' they are families made up of desperate people." 

Griffin volunteered in Northern Greece in June and November of 2016. She assisted refugees with medical care.

RELATED: Edgewater Physician Regrets Leaving Syrian Refugees

The global issue of Syrian refugees has affected Americans locally. Some politicians in the tri-state area have raised concerns about where supposed refugees would stay while in the country.

Under Former U.S. President Barack Obama, the United States intended to accept 10,000 refugees. This number is vastly overshadowed by Europen countries like Germany and Sweden who have accepted over 50,000 each. Middle Eastern countries like Turkey and Lebanon have accepted over a million refugees each.

Opponents to accepting refugees have pointed to Germany's issues of rising crime rates in correlation with increased refugee migration. 

Griffin's experience in Northern Greece contradicts the often-stated concerns that accepting refugees could damage local communities.

"[Refugees] left Syria to avoid fighting in Assad's army. They left to avoid being forced to hurt people," Griffin said. 

"They certainly didn't leave to hurt people. They left behind families and futures because they are peaceful and educated."

"Mr. Trump, you and your followers who support this action can claim no faith and no God, for none would support you in this action," Griffin said.

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