American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act Would Bring Resettlement of Iraqi and Syrian Refugees to a Standstill
Bill Would Also Abandon Iraqis who worked with the United States
H.R. 4038, the ‘‘American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015,’’ would bring the U.S. resettlement of Iraqi and Syrian refugees, which is already moving at a snail’s pace, to a grinding halt. It would leave vulnerable refugees, including targets of genocide, women fleeing gender-based violence, and Iraqis who worked with U.S. military forces or contractors, stranded for even longer in dangerous and difficult circumstances.
- US Leadership and American ideals: The United States has committed to resettle “at least 10,000” Syrian refugees, a very modest pledge compared to the numbers hosted by U.S. allies, the size and scale of the refugee crisis, and U.S. capacity. A bipartisan group of former government officials, including national security experts, recommended that the United States provide leadership in addressing the crisis and significantly increase its resettlement contribution. As Ryan Crocker, former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon noted in an in , the United States has a history of providing refuge to the persecuted, and should lead by example in this refugee crisis. The U.S. can provide refuge to victims of persecution while also safeguarding security.
