Rep. Becerra: Denying Syrian Refugees Would Be a 'Sin' Based on 'Hate'

Brittany M. Hughes | November 17, 2015
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Concerned about Syrian refugees coming into the United States? You might be a hateful racist.

According to one Democratic congressmen, turning away Syrian refugees seeking asylum in the United States would be a “sin” potentially based on “hate,” rather than concern that a refugee-disguised terrorist might somehow make their way across U.S. borders.

Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), known for championing widespread immigration reform and a devout supporter of President Obama’s executive amnesty programs, told reporters during a press briefing Tuesday that “to say that some child or a mother should be denied refugee status after going through a rigorous process to qualify, who has proven that she fears death or torture or persecution, would be such a sin on our American values.”

Becerra added that many members of Congress would be open to legislation that makes the refugee process more rigorous – but not any bill that would halt plans to allow thousands of refugees into the country.

“If it simply says ‘shut the door’ to people who are in fear of their lives and no more than that, when we have a track record of showing that we have a process that rigorously inspects these individuals, then that’s…an overreaction based on fear, or perhaps hate,” Becerra said.

The deadly terrorist attacks in Paris over the weekend sparked a rash of concern among many GOP leaders who say President Obama’s plan to accept thousands of Syrian refugees, most of them Muslim, into the United States could result in our own terrorist threat. More than two dozen governors across the country have already pledged to close their state borders against any Syrian refugees who are allowed into the country.  

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-K.Y.) on Tuesday called for a temporary halt in the refugee resettlement plans, at least until the vetting process is more thoroughly examined and implemented. 

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