Wittman Statement on Recent Executive Order Regarding Refugee Resettlement
Monday, January 30, 2017
WASHINGTON - Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) today released the following statement on the recent executive order regarding refugee resettlement.
"The safety and security of Virginians is my greatest concern and top priority. We have a long history of standing for religious freedom and providing a safe haven for many of the world's most vulnerable refugees. It's part of who we are as a nation. However, we must ensure terrorists aren't able to exploit refugee resettlement to gain entry to the U.S.
"We need to be clear about what this executive order says and does and what it does not. Since its disorderly rollout, we have learned from Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly that this executive order will not prevent lawful green card holders from returning to the United States. This is a temporary pause on refugee resettlement from a select group of war-torn, volatile countries, as first identified by the Obama Administration, that are known to harbor and export terrorists. During the pause in refugee resettlement our national security agencies will conduct a review of the vetting process to ensure that anyone entering the United States does not pose a national security risk. Once that review is completed and the best, most thorough vetting process is in place, refugee resettlement may continue.
"Going forward I will continue to advocate for the values that have defined our nation and protect our homeland."
Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is the Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.
"The safety and security of Virginians is my greatest concern and top priority. We have a long history of standing for religious freedom and providing a safe haven for many of the world's most vulnerable refugees. It's part of who we are as a nation. However, we must ensure terrorists aren't able to exploit refugee resettlement to gain entry to the U.S.
"We need to be clear about what this executive order says and does and what it does not. Since its disorderly rollout, we have learned from Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly that this executive order will not prevent lawful green card holders from returning to the United States. This is a temporary pause on refugee resettlement from a select group of war-torn, volatile countries, as first identified by the Obama Administration, that are known to harbor and export terrorists. During the pause in refugee resettlement our national security agencies will conduct a review of the vetting process to ensure that anyone entering the United States does not pose a national security risk. Once that review is completed and the best, most thorough vetting process is in place, refugee resettlement may continue.
"Going forward I will continue to advocate for the values that have defined our nation and protect our homeland."
Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is the Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.