U.S. & Syrian refugeesFBI director, DHS secretary criticize House Syrian refugee bill

Syrian child in temporary tent village // Source: .psu.edu

FBI director James Comey said he is deeply concerned about a bill which passed the house last week which would require him and other top national security officials personally to certify that each refugee from Syria and Iraq whose application for asylum in the United States is accepted, is not a security threat.

Two U.S. officials told CNN that Comey has told administration and congressional officials that the bill would block all Syrian and Iraqi refugees from being accepted in the United States, and could possibly even interfere with the ability of travelers from Visa Waiver countries to travel to the United States.

Comey told the officials that there are always risks in allowing any foreigners into the United States, and added that the FBI has an effective screening process, with intelligence and other agencies conducting vetting of refugees.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, who is also required by the House bill personally to certify and each refugee from Syria and Iraq admitted into the United States is not a security risk, has echoed the sentiments expressed by Comey.

Johnson criticized the House legislation, which was introduced by Representative Mike McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

“This bill that has been posed by Mr. McCaul — and I like Mr. McCaul — is a bad bill because it seeks to micromanage the process in a way that is counter productive to national security to our humanitarian obligation and the overall ability to focus on Homeland Security,” Johnson said.