HIAS Responds to Senate Refugee Resettlement Hearing

WASHINGTON—In response to today’s hearing in the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest, “Oversight of the Administration’s FY 2016 Refugee Resettlement Program: Fiscal and Security Implications,” HIAS’ Vice President for Policy and Advocacy Melanie Nezer issued the following statement:

“For any who would believe otherwise, what we heard today during the first Senate hearing on the U.S. refugee resettlement program in years, was confirmation that refugees are carefully screened and that those who are resettled to the United States not only integrate but make lasting contributions to our shared country. As Senator Durbin said, the screening process for refugees is ‘very serious and very thorough.'

"Since World War II, the U.S. has been an example to the rest of the world and has been a leader in both providing humanitarian assistance and in resettling the most vulnerable refugees from around the world. It’s a legacy we can be proud of — and one we must build on now, during this crisis, if we intend to continue to set the model we hope others will follow.”

HIAS submitted a written statement today to the Senate Judiciary Committee of the United States Senate. Additionally, HIAS joined an interfaith letter this week signed by dozens of local, national and international faith leaders opposing "any legislation or proposal that would prevent Muslim refugees and individuals from other faiths from accessing the U.S. refugee resettlement program."