How refugees are resettled in the United States

Though many governors have said they won’t accept Syrian refugees, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon isn’t one of them.

In the wake of the November 13 Paris terrorist attacks, newly elected U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said the U.S. government needs to “balance our compassion and our safety”, when it comes to processing refugees from Iraq and Syria, who would otherwise undergo a rigorous screening process, taking up to two years, and including multiple interviews and security checks.

President Barack Obama urged Americans to show generosity to Syrian refugees in his Thanksgiving message on Thursday, reminding them that the Pilgrims who came to America in 1620 were themselves fleeing persecution. The average background check takes 18 to 24 months. In a press release, the White House stated that, “Mindful of the particular conditions of the Syria crisis, Syrian refugees go through additional forms of security screening” – but details are classified. “Local governments do not have jurisdiction for the resettlement of refugees, but as Mayor of San Antonio, and even more so as a human being, I strive to create a community that is open and welcoming to those in need”, Taylor said in a statement.

Refugee advocates contend the process, which requires that candidates be nominated by the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees and can take up to two years, is sufficiently thorough.

Myth: 70% of the Syrian refugees coming to the United States are young, single, adult men. Those opposed, those supporting and those that are neutral – certainly to communicate about how the vetting process works and a little bit more about why this program is so important for our country. “An attack on the United States Capitol would be one thing”.

The president said US intelligence and security officials would be working round-the-clock during the holidays.

After all, we’re talking mostly about women, old people and children, who without help are likely condemned to a miserable, short life.

But sponsors aren’t necessary, Alba said. It’s the federal government’s role to maintain and run immigration and refugee policies. No person can be admitted if they have contributed money, intelligence or any support to a terrorist organization, if they have been members of a terrorist organization. Last week 242 House Republicans forced passage of the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act to dismantle the Syrian refugee program. Donald Trump has been exaggerating the numbers: President Obama’s initial plan was to take in 10,000 refugees this upcoming year, but Trump has consistently been saying President Obama wants to take in 250,000.

So, if you hear of plans to exclude Syrian refugees from asylum here, remember that children don’t choose the countries they are born into, or the conflicts around them.

Jane E. Bloom, head of the USA office of the International Catholic Migration Commission, told CNS that numerous refugees her agency is resettling are severely injured and have been devastated by the war. This bill is nothing more than a political, kneejerk reaction to a situation in Europe that is entirely dissimilar to our refugee admissions process. It states there is “recurrent vetting” throughout the screening process, during which “pending applications continue to be checked against terrorist databases, to ensure new, relevant terrorism information has not come to light”.