US President Barack Obama’s administration is assuring state governors that refugees who arrive in the US under its resettlement program undergo a “rigorous security vetting process,” particularly if they are fleeing from Syria.
“In short, the security vetting for this population — the most vulnerable of individuals — is extraordinarily thorough and comprehensive,” US Secretary of State John Kerry and US Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson wrote in letters sent to all state and territorial governors and to the mayor of Washington.
A copy of the letter, dated Friday, was obtained by The Associated Press.
After the attacks in Paris and the Islamic State (IS) group’s claim of responsibility, several governors vowed to block efforts to resettle Syrian refugees in the US for fear their ranks would be infiltrated by militants planning a domestic attack. In the US House of Representatives, lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to erect high hurdles for Syrian and Iraqi refugees.
The administration is countering that the vetting process is thorough and can take nearly three years. Obama has said the US is to remain a welcoming place for refugees from around the world.
In their letters to governors, Kerry and Johnson said the vetting process is multilayered and intensive and involves multiple law enforcement, national security and intelligence agencies.
They said the process includes even more precautions for Syrian refugees.
Saying that more than 4 million people have fled Syria, the American officials said some of the closest US allies and other nations are pledging to take in Syrian refugees. They said the plan to bring at least 10,000 to the US this fiscal year “represents a modest commitment by our government.” They added that most of the refugees are families, children and victims of torture.
A refugee applicant cannot be approved for travel and admission to the US until all required security checks have been completed and cleared, according to the letter.
The vetting process includes:
‧ An interview with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to determine if the applicant meets the definition of refugee and to see if any “red flags” would render the applicant ineligible.
‧ A referral by the UNHCR to the US, after which a resettlement support center contracted by the State Department conducts interviews, collects documents and initiates a security check conducted by the US government.
‧ A biographic check conducted by the State Department that includes checking the applicant against names in the various law enforcement and intelligence databases and watch lists.
‧ A referral to US Citizen and Immigration Services at the Homeland Security Department, which oversees refugee status interviews and additional security vetting with a focus on security checks. Fingerprints are collected from those aged 14 to 79 and screened against records held by the FBI, the Homeland Security Department and the Defense Department.
‧ Personal refugee status interviews conducted by highly trained refugee officers of Citizen and Immigration Services, who have also received special training regarding Syrian refugees.
‧ A vetting by US Customs and Border Protection before the applicant arrives at a port of entry, followed by additional background checks upon arrival.
‧ A determination of an appropriate resettlement site in the US by the State Department and the Health and Human Services Department.
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