U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan, D-Minn., on Thursday voted in favor of a House of Representatives bill that would increase restrictions on Syrian and Iraqi refugees entering the country.
The GOP-authored bill, which President Barack Obama has promised to veto, is named the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015, or "SAFE" act. It would require the heads of several federal agencies to personally confirm each refugee is not a threat.
Its supporters say it would require a "pause" in admitting refugees while the regulations are updated, National Public Radio reported.
However, Nolan said in a statement that it would not prevent refugees from coming in outright.
"After carefully examining this legislation and the debate around it, it's clear that this legislation will not preclude the United States from accepting thoroughly vetted refugees into the country."
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Nolan said he voted for the SAFE Act "because we must leave no stone unturned to keep the American people safe and protect our borders from Islamic State group-trained terrorists. The recent terrorist attacks in Paris have Americans understandably concerned."
Nolan said the intelligence gathering process must be constantly improved, and "everyone who enters the United States from another nation must be carefully screened, regardless of the time or the inconvenience involved."
However, Nolan also pointed out in the same statement that refugees face a uniquely high amount of scrutiny by U.S. officials already.
"Refugees coming into the United States are more heavily screened and vetted than any other group," he said. "Out of 23,000 Syrian applicants, only 7,000 have been accepted for an interview by the Department of Homeland Security since 2011, and only 2,000 of them have been admitted. No Syrian refugee that has resettled in the United States has been arrested or removed on terrorism charges."
ZACH KAYSER may be reached at 218-855-5860 or Zach.Kayser@brainerddispatch.com . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ZWKayser .
