“We are not well served when in response to a terrorist attack we descend into fear and panic”, Obama said yesterday from Manila.
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“They are scared of widows and orphans coming into the United States of America”.
President Barack Obama said the increasingly rancorous US debate on Syrian refugees feeds Islamic State propaganda that the USA and its European allies are at war with the Muslim world.
Some Democrats shared similar views, including senior Senator Chuck Schumer who acknowledged it might be “necessary” to pause and review the program.
The Republicans’ bill, H.R. 4038, “is not meant to be the sole solution”, House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, said during a Rules Committee meeting on the measure. “I believe the overwhelming focus on the refugee program in recent days is misplaced”, he said.
Others encouraged further communication to ensure that governors are able to better respond to questions from the public about the refugee screening and resettlement process.
Should the House legislation pass it could be a major roadblock for Obama’s resettlement program.
Southern Tier Congressman Tom Reed co-sponsored the bill being considered, The American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015. “But the practical effect is to shut down refugee processing in Syria and Iraq”, said Democratic Representative Zoe Lofgren of California.
Perhaps President Obama can say what’s an acceptable number of terrorists among the migrants and how many American casualties it would take for him to admit his policy was wrong. “Asylum and terrorism are not compatible with each other” said Ms. Fleming adding that the 1951 Refugee Convention excludes from its scope people who have committed serious crimes.
That being said, qualifying for refugee status in the U.S.is no easy task.
The White House on Wednesday evening issued a veto threat for a bill that Republicans say will impose a pause in the administration’s plan to resettle Syrian refugees.
While the administration defended the checks carried out in refugee camps in Egypt, Jordan and Turkey – vetting that typically takes 18 to 24 months – Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan said it was important to intensify refugee scrutiny. All biographical and biometric data available is reviewed.
“They are subjected to the most rigorous process conceivable”, he said of the refugees. Several Republican candidates including Donald Trump and Ben Carson have announced their strong opposition to the refugee program. “No Syrian or Iraqi refugee is able to enter the country without these clearances”.
“The problem is, we don’t (know) if they’re Christian or not”, Trump said in excerpts released by ABC News. We will not turn our backs on the refugees who are fleeing Syria and Afghanistan.
It must be noted that Syrian refugees are fleeing the kind of barbarism that was on display in the Paris massacre.
According to the U.S. State Department, more than 100 Syrian refugees could soon be housed by Catholic Social Services in Mobile.
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That slow pace is due largely to the comprehensive screening already in place.
