Kerry outlines process for vetting Syrian refugees

It would create “a standard that would be impossible when refugees, Syrian or others, who come to this country already face the toughest, highest security standards of any traveler to the United States”, Menendez, D-N.J., said Monday. Syrian refugees fleeing to Europe do not go through anything like the rigorous process experienced by those who are coming to the States.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey testified in front of Congress that there’s no way to properly screen Syrian refugees. The governor last week ordered state agencies to use all “lawful means” to resist resettlement. While states do not have the legal authority to admit or deny refugees, they play an important consultation role and in making refugees feel welcome. This ignores the fact that resettlement – an orderly, deliberate and highly security-sensitive process – has always had as a central component ensuring that those rare refugees who are selected pose no threat to their new countries. They have suggested that terrorists could infiltrate the stream of refugees, then launch attacks against the American homeland.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced last week that he would not seek to block the entry of Syrian refugees into Virginia, responding to calls from Republicans to prevent their entry following recent terrorist attacks in Paris. The Paris attacks are a sobering reminder of the danger of terrorism.

“I will oppose any attempt to relocate Syrian refugees to Alabama through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program”, Bentley said in a statement at the time. She has stated she would be for bringing refugees to the states, but only if the USA makes sure other nations are welcoming their fair share of refugees. If the United Nations deems them a possible candidate, the UNHCR refers the individual to a resettlement organization that contracts with the U.S. State Department, to begin the data-gathering process.

Officers with the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services undergo five weeks of specialized training, including fraud detection and prevention, security protocols, interviewing techniques and country conditions research. A supervisor reviews decisions to accept or reject the applicant.

In their letters to governors, Kerry and Johnson say the vetting process is multi-layered and intensive and involves multiple law enforcement, national security and intelligence agencies.

Only a “very small proportion” of the refugees the United States accepts are unaccompanied adult males – usually survivors of torture, LGBT individuals, or those with disabilities, according to the letter.

“So the federal government must balance our compassion and our safety”, he added.

Recently, while speaking at a church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, I was blessed to hear how this congregation of several hundred people had sponsored two Muslim families from Syria, ministering the love of God to them in a tangible way. “And I would argue that, for the tremendous good we could do and the low level of risk involved, refugees are worth it, too”.

President Obama has stood by his plan to increase the number of Syrian refugees allowed in from about 1,700 in the past fiscal year to 10,000 in the next. The letter from Kerry and Johnson noted Canada plans to accept 25,000 refugees.