The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee says it’s “pro-American” to prevent Syrian refugees from coming into the country until tougher screening procedures are put in place.
“I think it’s very pro-American to protect American lives,” Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said in an interview for “VICE on HBO” set to air later this week.
“I would argue that until I’m given assurance by the secretary of Homeland [Security], FBI director, director of national intelligence, that these people don’t pose a threat to our national security, I’m uncomfortable,” McCaul remarked to “Vice” correspondent Gianna Toboni.
“If we don’t do this right, Americans could die,” he added. “And that’s what we’re trying to stop.”
McCaul has expressed concern about the United States’ refugee resettlement program before, and said Islamic State fighters in Syria have tried to “exploit” the system to get into the country.
So far, fewer than 3,000 Syrian refugees have come into the U.S., but President Obama has called for the country to allow up to 10,000 this year. Many Republicans pointed out that Obama’s own government has said it can’t ensure that Islamic State fighters won’t sneak into the country by posing as refugees, and say the government should beef up its screening process before the refugees are allowed to enter.
