The White House is not changing its policy on refugees from Syria and elsewhere in the region, and argued that Europe has the “capacity” to handle the massive wave of immigrants fleeing conflicts spanning North Africa to Syria, spokesman Josh Earnest said on Thursday.
The United States is accepting some immigrants and asylum seekers from the region and has offered countries bearing the brunt of the migration substantial financial help but “I’m not aware of any impending policy changes as it relates to immigrants from that region of the world entering the United States,” Earnest said.
“It warrants mentioning that the United States has provided more than $4 billion in humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict in Syria since 2011. That’s a substantial commitment and certainly more than any other country has done,” Earnest said before adding that the U.S. is also offering technical assistance.
But when pressed again on whether the U.S. would harbor more people, he said, “At this point, I don’t have any announcements along those lines.”
Questions about the Obama administration’s stance on refugees were asked just a day after several new photos emerged from Greece and Turkey of doomed refugees fleeing Syria’s civil war and the wrath of the self-proclaimed Islamic State. One of them showed a drowned three-year-old Syrian boy that has captured global attention.
Earnest called the situation a “terrible humanitarian tragedy,” but insisted that Europe can handle the problem, with the help of U.S. aid.
“[T]here is certainly capacity in Europe to deal with this problem; and the United States certainly stands with our European partners,” Earnest said. He added that a scheduled Sept. 14 meeting of EU leaders to discuss a coordinated response to the crisis demonstrates the continent’s ability to cope.
“We commend the EU for the steps that they’ve already taken to begin cracking down on those who prey upon migrants in desperate situations,” Earnest said, adding that in discussing policy, “it’s important to not lose sight of the humanity of these people.”
