Shutting our doors to refugees from Iraq and Syria

H.R.4038. Rep. Michael McCaul’s (R-TX) resolution, the so-called “American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act,” would have required the directors of National Intelligence, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI certify to Congress that each individual refugee is not a security threat. The requirement that these directors personally sign off on each refugee from Iraq and Syria, of the thousands of Iraqi and Syrian refugees that the U.S. plans to accept, would have wrapped the refugee resettlement program in red tape and effectively prevented refugees from those countries from entering the U.S. Even if these requirements wouldn’t have made the resettlement process impossible, increasing the barriers to refugee resettlement is unnecessary. Refugees are already the most heavily vetted population to enter the country, going through a screening process that on average takes 18-24 months. The Senate never voted on this resolution. Passed, 289-137.

Our Position: Opposed
Latest Action: Passed
Chamber: House

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Jeff Jurgens