Refugee Security Bill "A Prudent Step Toward Keeping Americans Safe"

Press Release

Congressman Patrick Meehan (R/PA-07) today joined 288 of his colleagues from both sides of the aisle in supporting H.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015. The legislation requires the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Director of National Intelligence to certify that a refugee from Syria or Iraq does not pose a security threat in order to relocate to the United States.

"America is a compassionate nation and we have a proud tradition of welcoming those seeking refuge from danger abroad," said Congressman Meehan. "But we also have an obligation to prevent enemies seeking to do us harm from reaching our shores. As I said earlier this week, at this time we have no ability to vet the thousands of refugees streaming from Syria and identify which may pose a threat to American citizens. In Syria today we have no cooperative government, no extensive intelligence network on the ground, and no capacity to verify the background of persons seeking resettlement. As FBI Director Comey has said, none of the checks and screening processes we use will be effective without an adequate foundation of intelligence information. In Syria, that doesn't exist."

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

"ISIS has shown that it is able to use the flow of refugees as cover for moving its operatives around the world," said Meehan. "When ISIS' leaders says they will do so again, we have to take them at their word. The process for vetting refugees as it stands today is insufficient to stop them."

"The legislation passed today is a prudent step toward keeping Americans safe. It will ensure that refugees are not admitted to the United States until we can be sure they pose no risk to our citizens. I'm pleased an overwhelming bipartisan majority of my colleagues has supported it and I hope the Senate acts on it quickly."

Source