Press Releases
Rogers to DHS: No Syrian Refugees
Washington, DC,
February 3, 2016
Congressman Mike Rogers questioned Francis X. Taylor, Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, today in the House Homeland Security Committee Hearing titled, “Crisis of Confidence: Preventing Terrorist Infiltration Through U.S. Refugee and Visa Programs.” Rogers pressed Taylor on the Syrian refugee crisis reminding him that we are no closer to being able to safely vet these refugees and asking why there is still an insistence on bringing them to the United States. “The stakes are too high. Americans are compassionate people, but the refugees from the Syrian conflict should stay closer to their home countries in refugee camps. In October 2015, I asked FBI Director James Comey if he had the resources to monitor Islamic extremists already in our country. He responded, “The honest answer is ‘I don’t know’ for this reason: If what we experienced in May, June and into the early part of July were to become the new normal, it would really stretch the FBI.” This answer did not give me much confidence. “We cannot risk the safety of American citizens for the refuge of non-Americans. Violent Islamic extremists are actively trying to get into our country to kill Americans. It defies common sense that President Obama is still considering his refugee plan. I will continue to fight to stop any Syrian refugees from entering our country,” Rogers said. - ### - |