Hillary Clinton in Syrian Refugee Crisis

On Homeland Security: Support our NATO allies and take vetted Syrian refugees

SANDERS: I went to a Turkish refugee camp on the border of Syria. What a sad sight: Men, women, children forced out of their homes. Turkey did a decent thing, providing reasonable housing and conditions for people. Given our history as a nation that has been a beacon of hope for the oppressed, for the downtrodden, that I very strongly disagree with those Republican candidates who say we've got to turn our backs on women and children who left their home with nothing. That is not what America is supposed to be about. I think that the entire world needs to come together to deal with this horrific refugee crisis.

CLINTON: This is a humanitarian catastrophe. The US has to support our allies in Europe. We have to provide financial support. We have to provide the NATO support to back up the mission that is going on. And we have to take properly vetted refugees ourselves.

Source: 2016 PBS Democratic debate in Wisconsin on Syrian Refugees Feb 11, 2016

On Homeland Security: Keep Syrian refugees; we're a nation of resolve, not of fear

Q: You have said that it would undermine who we are as Americans, shutting our doors. But you supporter, Gov. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), says, "we should halt acceptance of Syrian refugees until U.S. authorities can assure the vetting process." Is she wrong?

CLINTON: Well, I agree that we have to have the toughest screening and vetting.

Q: But a halt?

CLINTON: I don't think a halt is necessary. Now, [screening and vetting] takes 18 to 24 months. So everything that can be done should be done. But the process should move forward while we are also taking on ISIS. I do believe that we have a history and a tradition, that is part of our values system and we don't want to sacrifice our values. We don't want to make it seem as though we are turning into a nation of fear instead of a nation of resolve. I would prioritize widows, and orphans, and the elderly, people who may have relatives, families, or have nowhere else to go. I would prioritize them.

Source: 2015 ABC/WMUR Dem. debate in N.H. on Syrian Refugee crisis Dec 19, 2015

On Foreign Policy: We should accept 65,000 Syrian refugees, vetted and screened

Q [to Gov. O'Malley]: How many Syrian refugees should the US take in?

O'MALLEY: I was the first person on this stage to say that we should accept the 65,000 Syrian refugees that were fleeing the sort of murder of ISIL, and I believe that that needs to be done with proper screening.

Q: Secretary Clinton, how do you propose we screen those coming in to keep citizens safe?

CLINTON: I think that is the number one requirement. I also said that we should take increased numbers of refugees. The administration originally said 10. I said we should go to 65, but only if we have as careful a screening and vetting process as we can imagine, whatever resources it takes because I do not want us to, in any way, inadvertently allow people who wish us harm to come into our country.

Source: 2015 CBS Democratic primary debate on Syrian Refugees Nov 14, 2015

The above quotations are from Opinions and policy on the Syrian Refugee crisis. Click here for other excerpts from Opinions and policy on the Syrian Refugee crisis. Click here for other excerpts by Hillary Clinton. Click here for a profile of Hillary Clinton.
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Page last updated: Dec 03, 2021