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Refugees

Republican Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Syrian Refugee Vetting Amid Increased Acceptance Plans

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Republican lawmakers are expressing concerns about the vetting process for Syrian refugees as the administration plans to increase the number accepted into the United States. Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) have warned that fighters with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) could try to sneak into the U.S. disguised as refugees. The lawmakers are advocating for rigorous background checks and security measures to be implemented in the refugee vetting process. Meanwhile, Democrats have supported President Obama's push to accept more refugees, acknowledging the need for additional funding to process and vet applicants.

Key Takeaways:

  • Republican lawmakers, including Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.), are pushing for stricter vetting of Syrian refugees due to concerns about potential infiltration by ISIS fighters.
  • The two lawmakers have written a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson warning about the risks of admitting terrorists into the U.S. disguised as refugees.
  • The administration plans to increase the number of accepted refugees, prompting concerns about its ability to vet applicants effectively.
  • Democrats, including Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and presidential candidate Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), have supported President Obama's push to accept more refugees and introduced legislation to provide the administration with an extra $1 billion in funding.
  • Lankford and Forbes have suggested prioritizing religious minorities, such as the Yazidis, who have been targeted by ISIS in the refugee vetting process.

Statistics:

  • The administration plans to increase the number of accepted refugees.
  • Republicans have raised concerns about the administration's ability to vet an increasing number of refugees effectively.
  • The legislation introduced by Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) aims to provide the administration with an additional $1 billion in funding to process and vet refugee applicants.

Sources:

  • "Lawmakers warn of 'smuggling' of ISIS fighters into US under guise of refugees," by Greg Nash, in The Hill.
  • "House Republicans Demand Answers on Syrian Refugee Proposal," by Paul Mirengoff, in PowerLine.

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