While lawmakers begin drawing the line in the sand over what to do with 10,000 Syrian and Iraqi refugees, many have asked the question: What if there are terrorists in the midst of those refugees? If we do allow the refugees and there are terrorists in the midst, the next question should be: Whom should we hold accountable? We want to know what you think by asking our question of the week: Should government be accountable if terrorists enter the country through refugee re-settlement programs?
There is precedent for concern in the U.S. A security flaw in the country’s vetting process led to the entry of “dozens” of al-Qaeda-linked terrorists, according to an ABC News investigation. Two men were charged with attempted to acquire high-powered weapons stateside. Concern was fueled by one of the terrorists involved in the deadly attacks on Paris who was believed to have entered the country via the refugee program.
But the Obama administration has expressed confidence in the country’s process with the President going as far as criticizing opponents of being scared of “widows and orphans.” The vetting process takes an average of 18-24 months. This would be far from the easiest or fastest way for a terrorist to try to get into the U.S., but federal officials have acknowledged in congressional testimony and interviews that there are limits to their ability to vet applicants from Syria for criminal histories and terrorist ties, according to a previous report. Violence in Syria has led to the deaths of 250,000 people and displaced millions, according to the Associated Press. (continue reading)