U.S. Rep Gregory W. Meeks Statement Regarding Vote Against H.R. 4038

U.S. Rep Gregory W. Meeks Statement Regarding Vote Against H.R. 4038

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Gregory W. Meeks released the following statement regarding his vote against H.R. 4038 the so-called “American SAFE Act of 2015":

"Today, I voted against H.R. 4038 the so-called “American SAFE Act of 2015” which seeks to shut down the resettlement of vetted refugees from Syria and Iraq.

"The current refugee screening process is a highly stringent, evolving, and coordinated 18-24 month process across several federal agencies including law enforcement and intelligence communities; and it has kept our nation safe. The rigor of the program involves several layers of security checks with biometric and biographic measures. Producing a new “certification” requirement, which is deliberately poorly defined in HR 4038, will lead to years of extended delay and in effect leave the U.S. unable to provide asylum.

"Five years into the conflict in Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan have taken in millions of refuges, pushing the capacity of their infrastructure and economies. So far this year alone over 800,000 desperate Syrians fled to Europe by sea. By contrast, since October 2011 the U.S. admitted about 2,000 Syrian refugees, many of them waited years to join their families here.

"Xenophobic sentiments suggesting that Muslim refugees should be refused asylum on the basis of their religion are not only morally wrong they are damaging to U.S. security interests and harken back to some of the darkest periods in our history.

"America has been and can continue to maintain a secure homeland and at the same time welcome, embrace, and integrate those who seek refuge into our communities. Doing so is the essence of what it means to be America."

###