CAIR welcomes senate action against bill halting resettlement of Iraqi, Syrian refugees

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Monday 25 Jan 2016 - 14:45 Makkah mean time-15-4-1437 Washington (IINA) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) welcomed the U.S. Senate’s move to block consideration of the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act (SAFE ACT) of 2015. Passed in November by the House in a veto-proof majority vote, the SAFE ACT would effectively halt President Obama’s plan to resettle Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Following the House vote in November, CAIR issued an action alert calling on the Senate to reject the act. “The Senate’s rejection of this misleading act provides us with a new opportunity to determine how we can better protect our nation while working to provide greater assistance to refugees of all conflicts, including Syrians and Iraqis,” said CAIR Government Affairs Manager Robert McCaw. “These refugees are the first victims of ISIS’s terrorism and should not be made to suffer any more delays in their perilous journey to find shelter and safety.” The act requires the heads of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FBI and Director of National Intelligence to individually certify that every Syrian and Iraqi refugee being resettled inside the United States does not pose a threat. CAIR opposes the act because no top agency official would ever submit to such a certification process or take personal responsibly for the actions of every refugee resettled in the United States. The measure’s burdensome review process would also “halt” the resettlement of Syrian and Iraqi refugees as new screening and approval programs would have to be established to comply with the act. CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. SM/IINA