Earlier this week Texas officials reiterated their concerns about refugee resettlement in the Lone Star State. In a letter to the State Department, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission objected to the proposed number of refugees coming to the state in 2016, citing concerns over the security vetting process. The letter echoes the statements of some Washington lawmakers and other state officials, who see refugee resettlement as a possible avenue for terrorists to enter the United States.

Concerns about security are certainly understandable, but calling the robustness of the refugee vetting process into question is misguided. Experts responsible for our national security agree: our vetting system works. Former Department of Homeland Security heads Janet Napolitano and Michael Chertoff, who are intimately familiar with refugee vetting, know that the process “allow(s) us to safely admit the most vulnerable refugees while protecting the American people.” Read more about the vigorous refugee screening process in Human Rights First’s fact sheet here.

Amid pushback from state-level Texas officials, many Texas cities have been singing a different tune: refugees are welcome. From the urban centers of Austin, Dallas, and Houston to small towns like Socorro and Amarillo, Texans have been offering their own brand of southern hospitality to refugees since the White House announced its intention to settle 10,000 Syrians in the country last year. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Texas has been a home for Syrians since the late 1800s, who have contributed to the state’s culture, economy, and even helped to settle the great American frontier.

Americans across the nation were also moved by the new face of the Syrian refugee crisis, five-year-old Omran Daqneesh. The heartbreaking photograph has prompted many to ask what can be done for victims of the Syrian conflict. It may come as a surprise to many that over half of the 21 million refugees in the world today are children, according to UNHCR. Omran’s story, while tragic, may represent a turning point in the public perception of who refugees are and why American leadership in the worldwide refugee crisis is desperately needed.

For the refugees that do make it to our shores, we are seeing an outpouring of support that is uniquely American. The Washington Post reports that D.C. resident and Egyptian immigrant Amr Arafa is using his tech know-how to offer up short-term housing for refugees. Arafa’s website, EmergencyBnB is linking up refugees with Washington residents that want to help. “EmergencyBnB is not about the government giving you a place to stay,” Arafa said. “It’s about the fact that your neighbors care about you.”

In Queens, soccer coach Jonathan Vaughan is using the love of the game to integrate young immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees into his New York community. The New York Times reports that Vaughan’s team, Rooklyn International, is represented by teens from 15 countries, speaking 10 different languages. At any time, up to three-quarters of the team’s roster is comprised of young refugees and asylum seekers. “To me, it’s about integration,” Vaughan said of the team. “Young people using soccer and coming together in a safe spot.”

Finally, a New Jersey church is partnering with refugee chefs to deliver a taste of traditional dishes from their home countries, and assisting asylum seekers in the process. According to app.com, Global Grace Cafe, located in Reformed Church of Highland Park, has already raised $8,000 dollars from the community and helped 16 refugees relocate to the community. “We love the food here, and we love that it is going to a great cause,” said one patron. “We talk about what Global Grace is doing too, and I feel I’m also teaching [my son] to be part of the community.”

Have reactions to share, or want to learn how you can be involved in our efforts to raise veteran voices in support of refugees? Find us on Facebook or Twitter, or contact us at vfai@humanrightsfirst.