Antelope High School

Home of the Titans

Principal, John Becker
Phone: (916)782-6565 ext. 1047
Elizabeth Forbes
7801 Titan Drive
Antelope Ca, 95843
Governor Jerry Brown
c/o State Capital, Suite 1173
Sacramento, Ca 95814
To Whom It May Concern:
"The tide of human suffering unleashed by the Syrian conflict has catastrophic implications"Angelina Jolie, UNHCR Special Envoy. My name is Elizabeth Forbes, I am a 15 year old student at
Antelope High School. I have two parents, a father named John, and a mother named Cyndee. I also
have three older brothers and one younger sister. I live with my parents and sister, Amanda, in
Antelope, California while my three brothers and family live two hours away in Modesto, California.
Ive never talked to my brother Eli but I very frequently see my family and other brothers John Jr. and
Alex. Although I get to see my family often, many others dont have have a choice. Woman, children,
and teens are being separated throughout the world as families flee Syria to escape the Syrian Civil
War. Families separated by World War II never saw each other after the war due to separation in the
camps.
People from Syria are fleeing their home country to get away from all the violence. The U.S.
has always allowed refugees to come into our home country because we provide the freedom and
safety. Due to many recent terrorist in the past decade, the U.S. is no longer admitting the refugees
because the government is scared. Since March 11, 2011, Syria has been in a Civil War. It all started
when teens were arrested and tortured for graffiting anti-government content onto a wall. Parents
began to protest and were shot at my officials killing four people. Later when many gathered to mourn
for the four dead, the government shot at the crowd killing an addition person. Many citizens wanted
the president, Bashar al-Assad, to resign but he refused, now many groups have formed to rebel
against him.
During World War II, Jews and other refugees were trying to escape Europe to get away from
the war. The United States accepted 20,000 out of 300,000 refugees that applied for visas, well over
the U.S.s quota. When the Jews were in trouble, America was able to take in multiple cases of
refugees and give them the hospitality they came searching for. So how come the U.S. isnt allowing
refugees from Syria, escape their situation? Isnt it time that America takes charge in this situation and
becomes the bigger person?

4635 Elverta Road, Antelope, CA 95843

Antelope High School

Home of the Titans
Principal, John Becker
Phone: (916)782-6565 ext. 1047
According to CNNs Politics, the House easily passed a bill Thursday that would suspend the
program allowing Syrian and Iraqi refugees into the U.S. until key national security agencies certify
they don't pose a security risks. Creating this bill makes conflicts with people that dont support the
refusal of refugees and feel that they should be allowed into the country. They are in a time of need
and we, as a country, are all about freedom and liberty yet we are sitting back together and not
allowing innocent citizens to take safety where it is welcome. The government is making this country
look weak as ISIS takes blame for attacks happening throughout the world, making countries fear
them and believe that they are very powerful. ISIS does not want the truth of how secretly they are
weak at the core of it all. Americans need to take the advantage and defend the those who cant defend
themselves.
Although Syria seems big and mighty, someone needs to stand up and take action against these
terrorists. ISIS may look tough, but they arent what they seem. The United States needs to take charge
and show the world that ISIS can be taken down and that there is nothing to be scared of. I, as an
American citizen, want you to vote on saving these refugees just like this country did in World War II.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter about this crisis.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Forbes
Antelope High School Student
Respectful. Responsible. Proud
GO TITANS!

4635 Elverta Road, Antelope, CA 95843