Delegation: Put refugees on hold

Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and Idaho Representatives Mike Simpson and Raul Labrador, called for suspending bringing Syrian refugees to Idaho through the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program until better assurances of security can be obtained.

“The attack on France demonstrates in stark horror the risks that not all who enter our country have peaceful intentions.  It has become evident at least one of the terrorists who carried out this plot entered the country under the guise of being a Syrian refugee,” Crapo said. “I support Governor Otter’s call to suspend this program.  I have strong concerns about the effectiveness of how we vet those coming in.   And we must give our state and our local communities a strong voice in how they participate in the decisions being made about refugees in their community.  Of the more than 350 calls that have come into my office since this attack, all but two have opposed resettling Syrian refugees who have not been adequately vetted.  Idahoans deserve a voice in this decision.” More here.