WASHINGTON D.C (WSLS 10) - Republican Congressman Morgan Griffith issued a statement, calling for "pause," in response to President Obama's plan to resettle at least 10,000 Syrian refugees in the United States.
During these troubled times, a priority of the federal government must be to protect the American people."
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"President Obama has proposed that the United States accept at least 10,000 Syrian refugees for resettlement. This would not be without risk, as there is not sufficient data about the vast majority of refugees. Therefore, these refugees cannot be significantly vetted. Vetting is difficult, particularly when we take into account two factors – 1) we are now dealing with thousands instead of hundreds of individuals, and 2) ISIS, etc. is using the flood of refugees to smuggle terrorists into Western countries.
No plan will be perfect, but our approach must be prudent. Accordingly, I and others are of the belief that the prudent action to take is to pause the admittance of additional Syrian refugees into the United States."
Meanwhile, Gov. Terry McAuliffe said Monday, the commonwealth would not be among the growing number of U.S. states seeking to block Syrian refugees. He added the state's public safety team was taking every precaution to keep Virginians safe.
But Congressman Bob Goodlatte said he feels more could be done.
"We cannot properly ensure that Syrian refugees coming into the U.S. aren't going to be terrorists... I believe there should be a one year moratorium on refugees coming into the us until we know we have a system that's full proof and can work."
Senator Tim Kaine supported the President and Virginia Governor's efforts, saying U.S. security does come first, but the humanitarian crisis cannot be ignored.
"Syrians are suffering under the worst humanitarian crisis since world war 2. Now, US security has to come first. We have to have an incredible vetting process... But the notion that no Syrians can come here is so antithetical to our values."
Kaine continued, saying the screening process for Syrian refugees is actually stricter than for other groups.