This is what 'not afraid' sign really meant

To Kevin Carlson who in his letter to the Daily Herald (June 6) gives his interpretation of the message I give by planting a "We are not afraid" yard sign in my front yard, I say:

Thousands of families have fled violence in their home countries. These refugees have lost their homes, their belongings and their livelihoods. They are not terrorists! Like you and me, they seek safety for themselves and their families.

If one would bother to go to the World Relief organization's website, one would learn that refugee families are thoroughly screened. These background checks require one to two years before a family is cleared to come to the USA.

There was a time when America welcomed refugees with open arms. Americans promoted compassion and righteousness to the world. Now we have a federal administration which spreads fear in the name of righteousness. My "We are not afraid" sign in my front yard is a protest against the Trump administration spreading fear as much as it is a welcome sign to refugees.

Tom Teune

Wheaton