Following the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, approximately 11 million Syrians have been displaced from their homes, making it the most massive displacement of people in history, according to a 2016 report by Mercy Corps.

Throughout its history, the United States has come to be a place of refuge for people fleeing persecution, but as a result of recent terrorism, it blames and aims to reject Syrian refugees. Considering that one fundamental of the United States’s beliefs is accepting people of different ethnicities and religions, this is not the correct approach.

In a speech last November aiming at persuading Congress to authorize a new military action against ISIS, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton opposed this mentality.

“We cannot allow terrorists to intimidate us into abandoning our values and humanitarian obligations. Turning away orphans, applying a religious test, discriminating against Muslims, slamming the door on every single Syrian refugee –  that’s just not who we are. We are better than that,” Clinton said.

Rejecting Syrian refugees abandons the moral code the our country has. While some say there is no room for them, the refugees can resettle in one of 190 host cities nationwide, such as Glendale, Calif., Grand Rapids, Mich. and East Orange, N.J. From there, they would be granted aid by the State Department for the first 90 days, according to Truth and Action.

A case study in Cleveland reveals how the resettlement of refugees in the United States might aid in stimulating the economy.  The increasing consumption of food, clothing and building materials may aid in repairing our economic state. While some think the costs of housing refugees, including their food and other necessities, are more detrimental than beneficial, a recent study by Forced Migration claims differently.

The study calculated that the United States generated $14 million in profits from purely milk and livestock in Dadaab refugee camps alone. This also meant that over 1,200 people received camp or trade-related employment.

Syrian refugees come to America for a fresh start, and while accepting them abides by our country’s ethical code, it also has the potential to jumpstart our economy. Judging a group of people based upon their race, and denying them new opportunities, is simply not American.