Arizona’s Governor Doug Ducey is supportive of legislation that would prevent Syrian and Iraqi refugees from entering the United States unless the government can verify they don’t pose a security a threat. A vote on the bills are expected today.
Concerned lawmakers are urging the President to immediately halt the admission of refugees from Syria and Iraq into the United States until the Administration successfully creates a thorough vetting process that will identify all individuals who may pose a security threat, as well as contain an effective monitoring process for all refugees.
The Obama administration is planning to veto the legislation.
Arizona Rep. David Schweikert said he was pleased to support the bills:
H.R. 3573, the Refugee Resettlement Oversight and Security Act, would give Congress the opportunity to vote on President Obama’s plan to resettle 10,000 Syrian refugees into our communities. Moreover, it will improve the security vetting process closing the security gaps that currently exist.
H.R. 3999, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act, this legislation would stop President Obama’s plan to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees from Iraq and Syria until the president can assure no terrorists or individuals with radical sympathies or views will be admitted into the United States
“If ever there were a time to put politics aside, it’s right now. With reports that even officials within the federal government have previously expressed concerns about the screening of refugees, it remains imperative that this issue be taken seriously and that our government put the security of the American people first,” said Ducey in a statement released Wednesday.
“On Monday, I called on national leaders to act with urgency in protecting our homeland, and I am encouraged by efforts in Congress to pause refugee admissions from Syria and Iraq until we have a new standard of verification and assurances to the public,” continued Ducey.
“This legislation is a good first step, but it should not be a last step. It’s still important that states have greater oversight and authority in this process.” Ducey concluded, “I hope leaders on both sides of the aisle can come together and place the security of our nation before all else.”
On Wednesday, legislators sent the following letter to President Obama urging him to temporarily halt the admission of Syrian and Iraqi refugees into the United States.
The letter reads:
Dear Mr. President:
Our thoughts and prayers remain with victims of the November 13, 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, and we support your efforts to assist the French people during their time of need.
Nonetheless, we cannot ignore that, despite your claims, the recent attacks in Paris and the suspected bombing of a Russian airliner, demonstrate that the threat of ISIS is not contained to Syria and Iraq.
Disturbingly, media reports indicate one terrorist killed during the Paris attacks may have arrived in Europe from Syria under the guise of a refugee. These events coincide with your Administration’s plan to raise the United States’ refugee ceiling in order to admit thousands of additional Syrians onto U.S. soil.
The United States has a proud tradition of opening its arms to those in need. However, the current conflict raging in the Middle East is unique and we cannot be certain that all individuals seeking refuge from the conflicts in Syria and Iraq pose no threat to Americans. Our first priority must be to protect our own citizens from harm.
Consequently, we urge you to immediately halt admissions of refugees from Syria and Iraq onto American soil. We ask that these admissions remain suspended until your Administration creates both a truly thorough vetting process to identify individuals who pose a security threat and an extensive monitoring process for all relocated refugees that ensures Americans are safe from potential threats. In order to meet this standard for effective security screening and monitoring, your Administration must first notify Congress of all policy changes, provide all information used to justify admission for each refugee to the House and Senate Intelligence, Judiciary, and Homeland Security Committees and satisfy the concerns of all Committees.
We urge your immediate action to suspend these admissions until effective vetting and monitoring processes are established that ensures the safety of the American people. We look forward to your timely response.