Statement by Rep. Salmon Encouraging National Suspension of Syrian Refugee Intake

Statement

Rep. Matt Salmon (AZ-05) today released the following statement supporting a nationwide suspension of Syrian refugee acceptance.

"Two months ago, after a congressional briefing on Syria, I requested a special briefing to learn more about how the Department of State's PRM (Population, Refugees, and Migration) Section and the Department of Homeland Security planned to vet potential refugees for admittance into our nation. To this day, I have not received that briefing. In addition, in open testimony before the Senate, FBI Director James Comey admitted that there are "gaps in the system' and that screening Syrian refugees is very difficult. The fact remains that the Administration does not have a viable plan to vet these refugees before granting them asylum in the U.S.

"Until such time as we can guarantee the American people that the refugees we bring here will not be a threat to our families and communities, I will not support the Administration's plan. Put bluntly: it would be national security malpractice to bring these refugees here at this time.

"Today, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey advised the federal government that he was invoking his right in law to suspend the placement of any new refugees in Arizona. I applaud him for taking this strong stance, a stance that should be taken throughout America. Congress must also be consulted in this process, under Article 1, Section 8, to ensure that it ultimately meets the needs of the American public.

"The events of last week remind us all that we are engaged in a global war on terror and that we must be diligent in protecting our homeland and doing everything in our power to keep Americans safe."

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