Thank you Andrew Stroeheim for bringing theses to mind. What do we do though?

A general thought is the value of immigration and particularly asylum if communities (if not whole countries) around the globe can be convinced of the value to them. As you well point out authoritarianism is not necessarily a distant threat and we would be prudent to take heed. Introducing people from troubled places helps us connect with those places -- at least to give us a look. Beyond that it can begin a flow of money earned here back into those places and create a basis for exchanges of people and even trade. The resistance to immigration from the wealthy countries could be lessened by moving that decision making to more local levels where specific needs are satisfied.