U.S. Rep. Crawford introduces Syrian, Iraqi refugee bill

A bill that would call for the immediate moratorium of the relocation of refugees from Syria and Iraq and would give state governments the authority to decide whether or not to allow refugees into their states was introduced Tuesday by U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro.

H.R. 4033, the Refugee Relocation Security Act, was a response to state and local leaders, like Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who have expressed concerns about the refugee issue, Crawford said.

“As a country born of immigrants, we have a long, proud tradition of welcoming onto our shores those in need. However, given the complexity of the current situation and threats of attack, we cannot know whether or not some refugees would come to our shores in a deliberate attempt to take advantage of that hospitality and do us harm,” Crawford said. “Difficult times create difficult decisions, but in the end our first priority has to be the protection of American citizens, and my bill will help ensure that we are doing everything we can as a nation to keep our own citizens safe.”

The bill would seek to amend current law on the issue, Crawford said.

“Beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security may not admit into the United States an alien from the countries of Syria and Iraq into the United States under Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157) until such time as Congress passes a joint resolution giving the Secretary the authority to resume admitting such aliens under such sections,” the bill noted.

The bill would also allow states to have an option on the issue.

“Under this section, the President may not relocate refugees to any State that explicitly rejects their admission into its respective state territory or tribal land through the direction of ‘(1) The Governor of the affected State; or ‘(2) An Act of the State legislature of the affected State,” the bill noted.