Amid intensifying domestic debate over whether the United States should accept Syrian refugees, President Barack Obama urged Americans to lend a helping hand to those fleeing war and persecution at the hands of militants such as the Islamic State group.
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“My administration considers this one of our top priorities, making sure that we’re bringing about the reality of zero homelessness for our veterans”, he added.
Mr Obama has said he wants to settle 10,000 refugees within the coming year after the individuals undergo 18 months of screening.
Obama’s address comes amid an impassioned political discussion regarding the USA welcoming Syrian refugees following the Paris terror attacks. “What makes America America is that we offer that chance”, President Obama said in his Thanksgiving address. That was the case before Paris, and it’s the case now.
In his Thanksgiving Day message, President Barack Obama said Thanksgiving, is a day to count our blessings because we all have something to be grateful for.
“I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving, surrounded by loved ones and full of joy and gratitude”, he said. Governors of both parties have also vowed to turn back Syrian refugees. The letter, which came from the office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) stated that state resettlement officials must not deny services and benefits to refugees (who meet eligibility requirements) based on their religion or country of origin and failure to do so could result in enforcement action which could either be suspension or termination.
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He called for Americans to display their full “generosity” in welcoming refugees into the country with no reservations. Obama turned to the words of the poet Emma Lazarus, whose 1883 sonnet The New Colossus is inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. But the White House has said it is open to working with politicians in the Congress to ensure tighter security measures for visitors from 38 countries who do not need a visa for short visits to the United States. “I feel from a small town we’ve done what we can do”.
