Milwaukee City Wire

On Wednesday, a group of U.S. Senators, led by Sen. Ron Johnson and Sen. Joni Ernst, sent a letter to President Biden expressing their concerns about the reported plan to accept Gazan refugees into the United States. The senators, including 34 of their Senate GOP colleagues, emphasized the potential national security risks associated with accepting refugees from Gaza.

In the letter, the senators demanded that President Biden halt the plan, citing worries about potential terrorist ties within the Gazan population. They urged the administration to prioritize efforts in rescuing American citizens held hostage by Hamas in Gaza before proceeding with the acceptance of Gazan refugees.

Highlighting the challenges of vetting individuals with terrorist ties or sympathies, the senators stressed the importance of thorough screening processes to prevent any security threats from entering the United States. They pointed out the historical association between Gazans and Hamas, raising concerns about the risk of admitting individuals with malicious intentions under the guise of refugees.

The senators also referenced alarming statistics regarding individuals on the FBI terror watch lists apprehended at the border, underscoring the critical need for stringent vetting procedures to safeguard national security. They questioned the administration's ability to effectively vet refugees crossing from Egypt-Gaza border, given the distance and the existing vulnerabilities at the U.S. border.

To address their concerns, the senators requested President Biden to provide clarity on various aspects of the plan, including the number of refugees to be accepted, screening measures to prevent terrorist sympathizers from entering the country, costs to taxpayers, consultations with regional partners, and locations for refugee housing.

The letter was signed by a significant number of senators, demonstrating widespread bipartisan support for halting the acceptance of Gazan refugees until security concerns are adequately addressed. The full text of the letter can be accessed for further details on the senators' stance.