MARYVILLE – In the midst of the weekend's controversy over President Donald Trump's executive order to temporarily halt those pursuing entry to the U.S. from seven countries affiliated with terrorist threats, Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) announced general support for the stepped up effort.
Shimkus said he supports vetting to ensure foreign nationals wanting to enter the U.S. are not a security threat.
“My record on this issue is clear, and has not changed: I support a vetting process that ensures every refugee, migrant or foreign national is not a security threat prior to his or her admission to the United States," Shimkus said in a statement issued Sunday. "That’s why I supported bipartisan legislation to stop the resettlement of Syrian and Iraqi refugees until our nation’s top security officials can be certain that each individual poses no threat to our homeland.
Shimkus said that the world has grown more dangerous, and enemies of the U.S. have become more emboldened in the last eight years.
"It would be irresponsible to ignore these threats, and to allow our inadequate screening of those entering our country from unstable or hostile regions to continue as is," the statement said.
The temporary halt will allow Congress and the new Administration time to evaluate and improve the vetting process, and in the meantime allow Secretary Kelly authority to grant exceptions to the restrictions as needed.
Shimkus said green card holders, who have already undergone extensive screening, should be exempted from the pause.
“America is an extraordinarily compassionate country, and we should continue to use our unique capabilities to help those in need around the world," Shimkus said. "So far we have contributed more resources to help Syrian civilians than any other nation, more than $4.5 billion since the start of the crisis. We should continue to provide humanitarian assistance, not only together as a nation, but individually to any of the dozens of non-governmental and faith-based aide organizations doing important work there.
Shimkus reiterated his longheld position that the most immediate way the U.S. can help refugees fleeing Iraq and Syria is "to establish and guarantee safe havens within the region where they can receive vital humanitarian assistance.”
