In a letter dated Wednesday, the Office of Refugee Resettlement told state officials they would be breaking the law if they denied benefits or services to refugees contingent upon their country of origin or religious affiliation.
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“I’ve been touched by the generosity of the Americans who’ve written me letters and emails in recent weeks, offering to open their homes to refugees fleeing the brutality of ISIL”, Obama said, referring to the Islamic State group.
In the wake of the November 13 Paris terrorist attacks, newly elected U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said the U.S. government needs to “balance our compassion and our safety”, when it comes to processing refugees from Iraq and Syria, who would otherwise undergo a rigorous screening process, taking up to two years, and including multiple interviews and security checks. It also requires certification for each admitted refugee that they do not pose a security threat.
The bill, called the America SAFE Act of 2015, SAFE standing for Secure Against Foreign Enemies, would also bar Iraqi refugees from the United States refugee program.
For now, both debates remain in limbo; the Senate will deal with the House’s bill after legislators return from the current recess, and the president’s executive action is stuck in the courts. The governors cited security concerns on the possibility of terrorists slipping into the US using the refugee program.
“We are fortunate that our nation’s location and borders do not put us in the same situation we see in Europe, where boats and rafts full of refugees wash ashore with a significantly diminished ability to track who is arriving or departing”.
There are no Syrian refugees in Vermont, but a small number is expected.
“We have simply instructed all of our state agencies not to process any paperwork”, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal said.
On Monday American Civil Liberties Union sued Indiana Gov. Mike Pence for attempting to suspend Syrian refugee relocation into his state.
President Barack Obama delivered a Thanksgiving address on Thursday asking Americans to think of the Syrian refugees as modern day pilgrims who deserve a helping hand from the greatest country on Earth. 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.
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“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 Virginia Republican said.
