The civil war in Syria has caused millions of refugees to flee to other countries, including the United States. Like others who immigrate to the U.S., Syrians face many challenges in adjusting (see "Escape to America" article). But just getting into the country is incredibly difficult. Typically, refugees must wait years for background checks to be completed. The U.S. government is especially careful about accepting people from majority-Muslim nations like Syria, believing that terrorists may try to sneak in with them. Also, because there is a limit on the total number of refugees the U.S. will accept, many people never make it here.
This cartoon uses Uncle Sam, a symbol of the U.S., to comment on the situation. Study it, then answer the questions.
1. What is Uncle Sam’s attitude toward the refugees?
2. How does the way the refugees are drawn reflect their situation?
3. Why might the cartoonist have represented the U.S. as a life raft?
4. What do you think is the cartoon’s overall message?