United States debates Syrian refugees
Republicans competing for their party’s presidential nomination sounded out a variety of themes to appeal to conservatives who feel President Barack Obama’s reliance on air strikes to counter the rise of Islamic State has been weak. But Bush said he wasn’t dissuaded from his position.
Bush spokesman Tim Miller said Tuesday that Bush believes the refugee policy should favor women and children as well as persecuted Christian minorities, but no one should be allowed in when there is not enough information about them.
The Republican presidential candidate recently suggested the United States should respond to the tragedy by creating a divide between Syrian Muslims and Christian refugees. My heart goes out to the refugees and I do think we have a noble tradition of supporting refugees.
Obama’s argument, given in Turkey at the G20 summit, deliberately casts this as an affront not only to American values, but to universal values of pluralism, freedom of religion, and nondiscrimination.
Trump also said he backed a few US troops, perhaps 10,000, in the region but would instead focus on targeting Islamic State’s oil and banking operations.
“Effective today, I am directing the Texas Health & Human Services Commission’s Refugee Resettlement Program to not participate in the resettlement of any Syrian refugees in the state of Texas, said Abbott in a letter to Obama”.
Ben Carson continues to be against it. That does not mean no Muslim refugees should be admitted, but it does suggest that an adamant refusal to distinguish among refugees on religious lines is illogical.
Obama said it was “shameful” to consider giving Christian refugees preference over other families seeking to escape violence.
Bush, however, outlined a scenario in which he would accept a few of those fleeing Syria’s civil war. “It is good to remember that the United States does not have a religious test”.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, the most hawkish on military action, called on Obama to coordinate military efforts with the French and allies in the Middle East to combat the militants.
Bush said he had the life experience to make tough decisions, pointing to his eight years as governor, his work overseas (mostly as an adviser for Barclays Plc), and time living in Caracas, where he helped open a Texas Commerce Bank branch.
Ohio Governor John Kasich, another Republican candidate, voiced opposition to accepting refugees following the attacks.
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“It’s not that we don’t want to, it’s that we can’t”, Rubio said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week”.