Goodlatte Statement on Administration’s Threat to States Refusing Services to Syrian Refugees

Washington, D.C.  – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) issued the following statement on the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s letter which threatens states who refuse services to certain refugees with enforcement action: “While the United States has the most generous refugee system in the world, the American people are rightly concerned about admitting Syrian refugees and the impact it would have on the safety of their families and neighbors. In light of these concerns, the majority of state governors have taken positions that reflect the views of their residents. 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 Administration’s latest threat shows why we need the American SAFE Act so that the American people have confidence in their government’s ability to fully screen refugees seeking to come here.” Background:

• Last week, the Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee held a hearing on “The Syrian Refugee Crisis and Its Impact on the Security of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.”

• Additionally, the House of Representatives approved by a vote of 289-137 the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015 (H.R. 4038). This bill requires comprehensive background checks of every refugee from Iraq or Syria before they can be admitted into the United States and certification that each does not pose a threat.

• In October, Chairman Goodlatte called on President Obama to rescind his directive to Secretary Kerry to usher in thousands of Syrian refugees into the United States. Previously, FBI Director Comey testified before the House Judiciary Committee that the government dramatically lacks the resources to fully vet Syrian refugees.

 

###