Syrian Refugee Crisis: on Homeland Security
Hillary Clinton:
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
Sam Brownback:
Halted Syrian refugees from being resettled in Kansas
In November, in response to the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris I directed all state agencies to immediately cease the placement of refugees from countries where potential terrorists can arise, due to our inability to verify their background.
Governors, both Republican and Democrat, continue to question the federal government's ability to properly screen people claiming to be refugees.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech: on Syrian refugees
Jan 12, 2016
Hillary Clinton:
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
Chris Christie:
Syrian refugees cannot be vetted; don't allow any into US
Q: You recently stated that you don't want to accept any Syrian refugees, not even orphans under 5. Does a 5-year-old orphan need to be vetted? Senator Rubio said yesterday: "If it's a 5-year-old child, that's pretty easy to vet." Why are they dangerous
to the United States to take them in? Why should the United States not be helping these desperate people? CHRISTIE: First of all, the FBI director himself said they can't vet these folks.
Secondly, we had a woman who was wearing an explosive vest in Paris who blew herself up when approached by police this week.
Q: The police actually have said that, as they have studied that crime scene further, she was not wearing a
suicide vest, although her role with the terrorists is still unknown. CHRISTIE: [With vetting orphans], I don't understand the distinction, quite frankly. And what we need to do is to protect the homeland first.
Source: CNN SOTU 2015 interview series on Syrian Refugee crisis
Nov 22, 2015
Rand Paul:
Both refugees and visa waivers pose threat
Q: You made an effort this week to block Syrian refugees and people from other countries that you thought were dangerous. But the experts are more worried about the visa waivers, which is to say people who could come in through Europe.
Why isn't that the bigger problem?PAUL: It's all of the above. My bill would have addressed refugees, students, visitors and those who want to emigrate from countries that have significant jihadists movements.
The Boston bombers also came here as refugees and became radicalized. So I think that for the president to say there's no danger is incorrect. But I do agree with those who say the visa waiver program is a problem. There are many French citizens who
want to attack their government and attack us and we have no program for screening them. I say they should all come in through global entry, sort of a frequent flier program where you have to get background check or they have to wait 30 days.
Source: CBS Face the Nation 2015 coverage of Syrian Refugee crisis
Nov 22, 2015
Rocky Chavez:
Block Syrian refugees until we upgrade our intel and vetting
Accept Syrian refugees? Republican Rocky Chavez says, "One, security is important, but two, we need to understand we are a country that has always been a home for those who are hungry and tired and oppressed."
Another Republican Senate candidate, former state party chief Tom Del Beccaro, was more comfortable with blocking refugees. "The wise thing would be to upgrade our ability and
our intel and if we are satisfied, if we are able to vet people, we could look to resuming it," he said. "We shouldn't move too quickly. Just like our mothers taught us, safety first."
But he too expressed hope that the discussion of refugees could lead to a refreshed conversation about immigration.
Source: LA Times, "Syrian Refugees?" on 2016 California Senate race
Nov 22, 2015
Larry Kudlow:
Moratorium on Syrian refugees must be in place
Very few people are talking about destroying ISIS. Some in the Republican Party and on the campaign trail are saying it, but they're not saying it enough. Not repeatedly. Not so as to boost the morale of the country.We are at war. Our homeland is in
danger. Yes, the moratorium on Syrian refugees must be in place. That's easy. But what's not easy is coming up with a coherent plan for destroying ISIS and telling America, "We can do this." That is leadership.
It's a week after the horrific Paris
terror attacks, but basically the US has changed nothing. While we wait, ISIS is expanding its franchises in Egypt, North Africa and Nigeria. How can this be?
Why hasn't the president called for an emergency meeting of NATO where we would join brave French President Francois Hollande on declaring war with ISIS? Why haven't we done this? If the president won't, then Congress should.
Source: Townhall column on Syrian Refugees, by Lawrence Kudlow
Nov 21, 2015
Ken Spaulding:
18-to-24 months for Syrian refugees is plenty of vetting
Attorney General Roy Cooper wants to "pause" Syrian refugees coming to North Carolina. Cooper is largely backing Gov. McCrory's stance on the issue; McCrory has repeatedly called on Pres. Obama to stop sending Syrians to N.C.Some Democrats said they
can no longer support Cooper and might consider his primary opponent, Ken Spaulding, who issued a statement saying he disagrees with both McCrory and Cooper:
"The vetting and security measures taken by our federal government usually take 18 to 24
months or more before a person is allowed to settle in our country as a refugee. This coupled with proper and effective state enforcement of our laws does provide a sound basis for our citizens' protection and security. So no, I do not agree with
Gov. Pat McCrory's and Attorney General Roy Cooper's call for a 'pause,' which is based on political popularity and not the facts. A year and a half to two full years with the current ongoing federal comprehensive vetting is already taking place."
Source: Raleigh News-Observer on Syrian Refugees
Nov 19, 2015
Roy Cooper:
Pause Syrians for most effective screening process possible
Cooper is facing a barrage of criticism on social media for saying he wants to "pause" Syrian refugees coming to North Carolina. Cooper, a Democrat who's running against Gov. Pat McCrory, is largely backing the governor's stance on the issue. McCrory
has repeatedly called on Pres. Obama this week to stop sending Syrians to North Carolina in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks. "I support asking the federal government to pause refugee entries to make sure we have the most effective screening
process possible so our humanitarian efforts are not hijacked," said Cooper.Obama has said the US will continue to take in Syrian refugees, but his position saw very little support from North Carolina leaders in his own party. A legislative commission
voted unanimously Wednesday to side with McCrory. On Twitter, some Democrats said they can no longer support Cooper and might consider his primary opponent, Ken Spaulding. Spaulding said he disagrees with both McCrory and Cooper on the refugee issue:
Source: Raleigh News-Observer on Syrian Refugees
Nov 19, 2015
Maggie Hassan:
Terrorist attacks strengthen our resolve to defeat ISIS
As the governor of New Hampshire, my first and foremost responsibility is to protect the safety and security of our citizens. In the wake of the horrific acts of terror in Paris, state emergency management officials and I have worked with federal
Homeland Security, the FBI and local police departments to exercise extra vigilance, and I will continue to ensure that the state is taking necessary precautions to protect the safety of Granite Staters.
These heinous attacks were carried out on the streets of Paris, but the terrorists who committed these cowardly acts also targeted each of us--and the values we hold most dear--with threats of their savage violence.
As we see the images of both heart-breaking pain and incredible resilience in France, we know that these heinous attacks will only strengthen our collective resolve to defeat ISIS and rid the world of violent extremism, wherever it may be.
Source: Hassan OpEd in Manchester Union Leader on Syrian Refugees
Nov 17, 2015
Bobby Jindal:
Demand info on background & monitoring of Syrian refugees
Gov. Bobby Jindal--a GOP presidential contender--said he wants more information from the White House "in hopes that the night of horror in Paris is not duplicated here." Jindal sent a letter to the White House, demanding to know how many
Syrian refugees have been resettled in his state. He also wants to know the extent of background screening before Syrians entered the U.S. United States as well as what monitoring would be done once the refugees make it to Louisiana.
Source: ABC News on Syrian Refugee Crisis
Nov 16, 2015
Chris Christie:
No Syrian refugees in US, not even infant orphans
Gov. Chris Christie says he's opposed to any Syrian refugees entering the country--even infant orphans. Christie's comments came during conservative host Hugh Hewitt's radio show. They were a complete reversal from September, when the
Republican presidential contender said U.S. should "play their role" in taking in refugees without committing to a specific number after a photograph of a dead migrant child humanized the migrant influx.
Source: ABC News on Syrian Refugee Crisis
Nov 16, 2015
Jay Nixon:
No Syrian refugees in MO; screening & safeguards needed
Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon says it's up to the federal government to screen refugees and is calling for safeguards following the attacks in Paris.
But in a statement, Nixon didn't say he'd block Syrian refugees from settling in Missouri. Three Republican candidates for governor want Nixon to do so, citing safety concerns.
Source: ABC News on Syrian Refugee Crisis
Nov 16, 2015
John Kasich:
No more Syrian refugees in Ohio or anywhere in USA
Gov. John Kasich, a Republican presidential candidate, doesn't want Ohio or the United States to accept more Syrian refugees. Spokesman Jim Lynch says the Republican presidential candidate is writing to ask
President Barack Obama to stop resettling Syrian refugees in Ohio because safety and security issues can't adequately be addressed. Kasich also is reviewing steps Ohio might take to stop resettlement.
Source: ABC News on Syrian Refugee Crisis
Nov 16, 2015
Mark Dayton:
Existing security checks for Syrian refugees are sufficient
Gov. Mark Dayton isn't objecting to the possible placement of Syrian refugees in his state as long as they undergo rigorous screening first.
The Democrat released a statement saying he's been assured by the White House that any refugees from Syria would be "subject to the highest level of security checks of any category of traveler to the United States."
Source: ABC News on Syrian Refugee Crisis
Nov 16, 2015
Nikki Haley:
Persecuted immigrants are welcome--but not Syrian refugees
Gov. Nikki Haley says she supports allowing persecuted immigrants to come to South Carolina--as long as they're not from Syria. Republicans in the state Legislature called on Haley to oppose all international refugees.
But the Republican governor said as long as nothing changes in who is being resettled in the state, neither will her stance.
Source: ABC News on Syrian Refugee Crisis
Nov 16, 2015
Scott Walker:
Syrian refugees pose a security threat
Gov. Scott Walker said that Wisconsin won't accept any new
Syrian refugees because doing so poses a security threat.
Source: ABC News on Syrian Refugee Crisis
Nov 16, 2015
Steve Bullock:
Don't let terrorists intimidate us to abandon our values
Gov. Steve Bullock said the state "will not allow any terrorist organization to intimidate us into abandoning our values."
State officials are reviewing the existing protocols for considering refugee settlement requests and if there are any safety concerns, the refugees will be denied, he said.
Source: ABC News on Syrian Refugee Crisis
Nov 16, 2015
Terry Branstad:
Protect residents with info on where Syrian refugees are
Saying he wants to protect residents of his state, Gov. Terry Branstad acknowledged that governors might not be have the legal authority to prevent the Syrian refugees from relocating to their states because "this is a federal program."
Still, the Republican says he wants more information from the federal government about where people are being placed and the vetting process.
Source: ABC News on Syrian Refugee Crisis
Nov 16, 2015
Jeb Bush:
Syrian refugees already in US can stay
Q: I want to ask you about something that we're hearing coming out of Tennessee, one of the top Republican lawmakers there has actually suggested using the National Guard to round up the refugees who are already settled in the U.S. and send them back.
And I wonder if, given your concerns about the screening process of refugees, if you would favor such a move? CARSON: I think that may be a little bit extreme, to be honest with you.
But rather than have to face situations like that, let's go ahead and support the efforts that already exist that really will take care of millions of people.
And why would we continue to increase the complexity of the situation in this country without solving the problem by bringing people over here who are not adequately screened? That doesn't make a lot of sense.
Source: Meet the Press 2015 interviews on Syrian Refugee crisis
Nov 15, 2015
Ben Carson:
Religion not sufficient probable cause to track
Q: You said a few weeks ago that bringing in people from the Middle East right now carries extra danger and we cannot put our people at risk because we are trying to be politically correct.
Let's imagine some of those refugees get into the United States. For authorities to track emails, cell phone calls, they usually need to have probable cause.
Do you think in some instances, religion should be enough for probable cause?CARSON: I personally don't feel that way, but I would certainly be willing to listen to somebody who had evidence to the contrary.
I think that's one of the problems, we get to our little corners and we don't want to listen to anybody anymore.
Source: ABC This Week 2015 interview on Syrian Refugee crisis
Sep 27, 2015
Page last updated: Dec 03, 2021