In response to Mr. Been’s Letter to the Editor dated Nov. 18, 2015: I share his and all Americans’ concern for the safety of this nation’s citizens.

Many real and dangerous threats exist. The appalling and growing concentration of wealth within a minute percentage of the population; the endemic and structural discrimination against minority Americans; the decline of literacy; the public health threat posed by obesity; the frightening prevalence of addictive drugs; the frequent and seemingly acceptable mass slaughter of innocent Americans by mostly young, white, disenfranchised men; the high rates of suicide among veterans and teenagers and yes, the threat of terrorism — from outside and from within.

All of the above threaten the stability and vitality of this incredible nation — the only nation in the world that aspires to create a community of human beings firmly supported by a Bill of Rights and founded on the principles of freedom.

The current refugee crisis — not only in Syria — is greater than any since the end of World War II. Millions of people of all religious affiliations and ethnic backgrounds are fleeing tyranny and persecution.

The vast majority of these people seek a safe place to live, to work, to raise their children. The vast majority of the people who come to this country become hard working, law abiding, patriotic Americans.

Mr. Been asks about qualifications and processes that Syrian refugees must meet to be considered for resettlement in the Pittsburgh region. He also asks about the potential financial burden that 500 resettled refugees would place on the city and region. These are legitimate concerns.

The vetting process for resettlement here takes between 18-24 months. The process is extensive yet not foolproof. Few systems are.

Federal funds are provided to resettlement agencies in the region to provide the initial three month intensive arrival and preliminary integration of newly arriving refugees.

State funds are provided over a five year period to resettlement agencies to support the continued integration of these families and individuals.

Private donations, volunteers and traditional American goodwill also contribute to the resettlement process.

Mr. Been states that “the probability of a terrorist being hidden within the 500 is almost a certainty,” and questions whether or not these Syrian refugees will accept our way of life.

I understand his fear, but I trust the vigilance of law enforcement and communities to identify and intervene should such an individual find his or her way to Pittsburgh.

Furthermore, having worked in refugee resettlement locally and in refugee camps internationally, I disagree with Mr. Been’s assumption of refugee nonintegration. Our way of life has been created through the ongoing contributions of diverse individuals from all nations coming together to create an amazing, if not-yet-fully-realized, democracy.

In closing, Mr. Been questions whether or not “supporters of (Pittsburgh Mayor Bill) Peduto, (Gov. Tom) Wolf and the entire Obama group” even care about the “real and dangerous threat they (Syrian refugees) are posing to our country”.

This is a disturbing comment; divisive, disrespectful and unfounded.

While posed as a question in Mr. Been’s letter, this type of accusatory language and sentiment does not contribute any solutions.

Of course we all care — Democrat, Republican, independent, whoever.

The real question is: how can we as a nation come together to embrace our Constitution and Bill of Rights, to listen to each other in a civil and nonderogatory manner, and to show the world the greatness of this incredible nation by living our values?

Fear mongering and xenophobia have no place in America.