In a Thanksgiving address, the USA president likened the plight of these refugees to that of the Pilgrims who came to America in 1620.
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He then transitioned to defend his plan of bringing Syrian refugees to America, attempting to temper security concerns, and appealing to generosity and the Thanksgiving holiday to make a case for his proposals.
“What makes America America is that we offer that chance”, he added.
Obama reminded Americans to step back on Thanksgiving and remember that historically “we turn Lady Liberty’s light to the world” especially refugees who were fleeing the atrocities of ISIS. The figure has been criticised by refugee activists who point out that countries such as France and Germany are settling far greater numbers. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, meanwhile, said he’s told local pastors they could count on him to help shelter Syrian refugees who arrive through “any organized, thoroughly vetted program that the country asks Dallas to participate in”.
The Office of Refugee Resettlement warned that states denying services and benefits to Syrian refugees would be in violation of federal law. The governors of 31 states, all but one Republicans, have blocked any Syrian refugees from entering their states.
Condemning what many perceive as a threat posed by the possibility that jihadists could enter the United States disguised as refugees, Obama again underscored the already stringent vetting process that asylum seekers must undertake. “Our nation has always been welcoming but we cannot let terrorists take advantage”, Ryan, a Republican, said yesterday.
A spokeswoman in the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the resettlement office, said 49 states and the District of Columbia have refugee resettlement programs.
The House has passed a bill that would effectively ban Syrian refugees altogether despite the most stringent screening policies in the world.
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More than 20 governors mostly from Republican-led states earlier announced that they will not accept not even one of the 10,000 Syrian refugees the Obama administration is set to welcome into the country, expressing concerns for the safety and security of their constituents. “It’s hypocritical for Obama Administration officials to threaten enforcement action against these states when they refuse to enforce the vast majority of our immigration laws, such as cracking down on sanctuary cities that openly defy federal law and endanger the American people”. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure upon return and Obama has promised to issue a veto, according to The Hill.
