Rep. Tom Graves Votes to Pause Syrian Refugee Resettlement in U.S.

Press Release:

Washington, Nov 19 – Today, Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) voted for and the House passed the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act (H.R. 4038), legislation requiring the FBI director certify the background investigation of every refugee from Syria and Iraq and requiring that the secretary of Homeland Security, the FBI director and the director of National Intelligence all certify to Congress that each refugee is not a security threat. These additional security features will effectively pause the president’s plan to resettle thousands of refugees in the United States.

“It’s obvious that the threat of militant Islamic terrorism is not, as the president claims, contained,” said Rep. Graves. “One critical part of preventing attacks on American soil is ensuring terrorists posing as refugees do not enter our country, as one of the Paris attackers apparently did. While we are a generous nation, our national security comes first. Heightening our scrutiny of refugees is in line with our values and helps keep us safe.”

Earlier this week, Rep. Graves co-sponsored the Resettlement Accountability National Security Act (H.R. 3314) and the Refugee Resettlement Oversight and Security Act (H.R. 3573), bills that also address the national security concerns surrounding the Obama administration’s plan to resettle thousands of Syrian refugees in the United States. Click HERE for more information.