Obama took particular ire at a proposal by GOP presidential candidate Jeb Bush to admit only Christian Syrians. Bush later clarified he wants to give preference to Christians but not exclude properly vetted Muslims. Still, Obama said the idea of only allowing Christians in amounted to “political posturing” that runs contrary to American values.
In Congress, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have urged at least a temporary halt in the resettlement of Syrians. Obama pointed out that he’s been waiting for a year and a half for Congress to take up a new war powers resolution to address the IS threat, questioning their newfound haste to solve the purported threat of innocents fleeing war.
Defending his administration’s screening program, Obama said it takes 18 to 24 months to clear a refugee for entry, following vetting by the U.S. intelligence community and other agencies as well as biometrics.
Although there are indications that one of the IS attackers carried a Syrian passport and may have arrived in France alongside refugees, Germany’s top security official has said the passport might have been a fake intended to stoke fears. Still, Obama acknowledged that the U.S. public was concerned about attacks on the homeland, noting that Paris “reminds us of home.”
“I understand why Americans have been particularly affected,” he said.
Like BlackAmericaWeb.com on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.
