As the drumbeat intensifies to open our arms to Iraqi refugees, Asst. Sec. of State Ellen Sauerbrey speaking at a hearing before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom yesterday stressed the point that seems to be lost in the discussion:
…… a lesson learned from the 9-11 attacks was that “any program that allows people to enter our country must guard against terrorist infiltration.”
Tell that to drummer Church World Service actively lobbying to have S. 1651 attached to the Defense Authorization bill at this very moment. I hope they have good accountants and are making sure they don’t use any of the millions they receive from the taxpayers for refugee resettlement for lobbying in Washington. Busy aren’t they?
Additional comment: When I wrote this yesterday I should have mentioned that this is a twofer for Church World Services. The bills to open the floodgates to Iraqi refugees not only bring more refugees for CWS to place and collect their federal income, but it undermines the military surge by sending the signal that these people will never be able to go home to Iraq.
For an analysis of the bill CWS is pushing see Center for Vigilant Freedom.
For a review of all of our coverage of Iraqi refugees, go to that category on the left.