In his weekly radio address broadcast Thursday, Obama noted his commitment to accept an additional 10,000 Syrian refugees this year and argued that the policy is in keeping with USA tradition.
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“In 1620, a small band of pilgrims came to this continent, refugees who had fled persecution and violence in their native land”. At the same time, a recent Ipsos survey commissioned by World Vision found that 71 percent of Americans said they would be willing to help Syrian refugees.
European media say EU officials believe two of the Islamic State terrorists who attacked Paris this month had entered Europe as part of a Syrian refugee wave.
The backlash against Syrian refugees, and Muslims more broadly, has become even more public and political as 31 governors, all but one of them Republican, have said they will not accept Syrian refugees.
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would require refugees to be certified by the secretary of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation director and the director of national entry before being allowed entry to the Untied States.
Thanksgiving Day in the USA is traced to a feast in 1621 by the Pilgrims in which they gave their appreciation to god for their first successful harvest in the New World. The call, led by White House Chief of Staff Dennis McDonough, sought to ease their concerns and share details on the federal refugee resettlement process and security screening measures.
The bill would limit the number of Syrian and Iraqi refugees admitted to the US until increased security checks are in place. That was the case before Paris, and it’s the case now.
More than 30 state governors have indicated they will attempt to block any future refugees from settling in their states.
“ORR is aware that state and local leaders, including some governors, have expressed concern about the resettlement of Syrian refugees in their states”.
Did Obama’s view on refugees and pilgrims resonate with Americans?
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.
The notice came in the form of a letter from the Office of Refugee Resettlement that serves as a reminder that states may not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, and, most importantly, religion or country of origin. Why not prioritize the most vulnerable refugees, such as the children, elderly, families and those who are being slaughtered due to their faith and gender?
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Rep. Bob Goodlatte, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said that was stunning given Mr. Obama’s diametrically opposite stance on refusing to punish states and localities with sanctuary city laws to protect illegal immigrants.
