Press Releases

The United States has the most generous refugee policies in the world and a culturally diverse, open country unlike any other. We want that proud tradition to continue. Yet ISIS continues to embed fighters within the refugee flows bound for Europe to carry out terrorist attacks and clearly encourages its followers to do the same in the United States. 

There's no "Muslim ban." President Trump's executive order imposes a temporary, 90-day ban on people entering our country from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen - countries rife with jihadist violence. Muslims and others from the more than 190 remaining countries in the world are unaffected. Even the Iraqi government says it understands the security reasons behind the President's decision.

The order aims to improve our vetting process by temporarily halting refugee admissions for 120 days. Top national security officials repeatedly warn that we don't have the necessary resources or information to fully vet refugees. 

Former President Obama banned many refugees from Iraq in 2011. Former President Carter, during the Iranian Hostage Crisis, banned Iranians from entering the United States with very limited exceptions. Notably, the media was silent on both occasions.

Clearly, however, the Administration must clarify its policies and remove any confusion with regard to Green Card holders.

The primary duty of government is to keep the American people safe. We must take common sense steps to protect ourselves from those who take advantage of our generosity to commit acts of terrorism.