Speech #1140066202

It starts with registration with the United Nations. interview with the United Nations. refugee status granted by the United Nations. referral for resettlement in the United States. interview with State Department contractors. the first background check. higher level background checks. another background check. fingerprint screening with a photo taken. the second fingerprint screening. the third fingerprint screening. the case reviewed by U.S. immigration headquarters and then in some cases referred for additional review. extensive inperson interviews with Homeland Security officers. and thenand only thencould Homeland Security approval be required. At that point the potential refugee is screened for contagious diseases. goes through a cultural orientation class. matched with an American resettlement agency. goes through a multiagency security check before leaving to enter the United States. and then faces a final security check when they arrive at an American airport. I am entering this into the RECORD because those who are suggesting that we are taking Syrian refugees without appropriate screening are not aware of the reality. It is a process that takes 18 to 24 months. and in the 4 years we have accepted about 2.000 Syrian refugees. not a single one has been found to be involved in a terrorist activity. We accept about 70.000 refugees in the United States each year. and I am glad that we do because for some people in some parts of the world. it is the only place they can turn to. The public reaction against the House action that bars Syrian refugees is interesting. There was a Congressman. and I dont know him personally. but his name is Congressman STEVE RUSSELL of Oklahoma. This is according to the POLITICO article: He voted for the bill with serious reservations but in the hopes of affecting the debate as it moved ahead. If the existing bill were to come before the House again. "I would vote against it." Russell said. "I think it creates impossible barriers to refugees." Just 2 weeks ago. he voted for it. but he has thought it over. Why? This article says: For Russell. the issue is personal.