WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) released the following statement in response to the drastic increase in accepted refugee applications this week:
“The fact that Syrian refugee applications were accepted at 20 times the normal rate on a single day this week than during the entire months of January or February should give every American pause. The Administration’s arbitrary and politically expedient approvals showcase the complete disregard for our nation’s security. Even before the surge, the FBI told Congress there is no a way to thoroughly vet Syrian refugees, and that the process is ‘not even close to being under control.’ These gaps in our screening process allow our enemies to exploit loopholes in the refugee programs and leave Americans at risk. The Administration should pause the Syrian refugee program until security officials can certify that refugee flows are not infiltrated by terrorists.”
