Md. Lawmakers On Tougher Screening For Syrian Refugees
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Amidst growing safety concerns, the House has voted for tougher screening procedures for Syrian and Iraqi refugees entering the U.S.
Meghan McCorkell has more on how that would essentially block them from coming to this country.
The bill would require each refugee to be individually background checked by the FBI--a requirement the FBI director says is impossible.
As millions of Syrians flee from ISIS as civil war rages in their country, the U.S. House votes to make it harder for them to come to the United States.
The White House planned to accept over 10,000 Syrian refugees over the next year.
"They are victims of this terrorism," said President Obama.
But reports that at least one of the Paris attackers may have posed as a refugee to get into Europe has sparked fears.
"There is a very real possibility that a terrorist, particularly one from or claiming to be from Syria or Iraq will attempt to gain access to the United States as a refugee," said Rep. Bob Goodlatte, (R) Virginia.
Now, by overwhelming numbers, the House votes to halt the president's program.
Among those "yes" votes--Maryland Congressman Andy Harris.
"Don't bring them on our soil until we're absolutely certain that they're not here to do us harm," said Rep. Harris.
Earlier this week, Governor Larry Hogan asked the White House to halt the resettling of Syrian refugees in Maryland.
"We have all the safeguards that we need to make sure that terrorists do not get into our country," said Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings.
Rep. Cummings is saddened by Thursday's vote, saying shutting the country's doors to people in need is un-American.
"You're basically talking about women and children. This is America, and we are better than this," said Cummings.
The Senate will consider the bill after Thanksgiving.
The president has vowed to veto the bill, but Congress could override that veto.
Despite the attacks, France has agreed to accept 30,000 Syrian refugees over the next two years.
