National Security Voices on Refugee Resettlement

IN RESPONSE to misguided anti-refugee proposals, an array of prominent and well-respected former government officials and national security advisors have raised their voices to emphasize the importance of continued admission of Syrian and Iraqi refugees into the United States. These experts have emphasized that while halting resettlement of Syrian refugees would only fuel ISIL’s hate-filled rhetoric, maintaining and expanding America’s resettlement program advances our national security interests and expounds the ideals of compassion, openness, and generosity that the United States exemplifies. Moreover, America’s current process for vetting refugees—including and especially those from Syria—is thorough and robust, and enables the U.S. government to carefully manage associated risks and safely resettle those fleeing persecution and violence.