Senator Kirk: ISIS Has Infiltrated Refugee Program in Europe

Senator Kirk Statement on Confirmation That ISIS Has Infiltrated Refugee Program in Europe

Gen. Breedlove Testified that Refugee Programs are “Masking the Movement” of Terrorists

Kirk Has Repeatedly Called on Administration to Pause Refugee Program Until Security Gaps are Addressed

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) released the below statement after the top U.S. general in Europe, Gen. Philip Breedlove, Commander of U.S. European Command (EUCOM), testified at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing that ISIS is currently “masking the movement” of terrorists into Europe. At least two of the ISIS terrorists involved in the November 13th attacks in Paris, France, entered Europe by infiltrating refugee flows, and since September 11, 2001, 15 individuals who entered the U.S. via refugee programs have been involved in terror-related cases.

“General Breedlove reiterated today what U.S. intelligence officials have confirmed – ISIS has Syrian passport machines and are actively utilizing refugee flows throughout Europe. The gaps in our screening process leave Americans at risk when we ignore these warnings, so we should pause the Syrian refugee program until security officials can certify the men and women entering this country do not mean us harm.”

BACKGROUND:

• Senator Kirk, with Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), introduced the Defend America Act (S. 2435) to prevent terrorist infiltration of the Syrian and Iraqi refugee programs by thoroughly screening all refugee and immigrant visa applicants for any pro-terrorist social media or other support to terrorist groups like ISIS.

• On January 20, Senator Kirk proposed three amendments to the American SAFE Act. Similar to the policies included in S. 2435, the amendments would prevent terrorist infiltration of the Syrian and Iraqi refugee program and strengthen the vetting process for refugees by requiring the screening of applicants for pro-terrorism social media. The Administration currently does not comprehensively screen social media posts of those applying for immigrant visas or for entry into the United States through refugee programs.

• ISIS has created a whole “industry” producing fake passports according to a recent ABC News report.

• A Homeland Security Investigations Intelligence Report said that ISIS has access to a passport printing machine and blank passports.

• Two Iraqi refugees were arrested in 2016 in an ongoing terrorism investigation, one of whom pledged allegiance on social media to various terrorist organizations.

• Two al Qaeda terrorist bomb-makers infiltrated the Iraqi refugee program to resettle in Kentucky in 2009.

• Current Administration policy reportedly blocks authorities from screening visa applicants for pro-terrorist social media.

• At least two of the ISIS terrorists involved in the November 13th attacks in Paris, France, entered Europe by infiltrating refugee flows.