Senator Ted Cruz kept his reputation as Lyin’ Ted tonight when he said our country needs to stop “admitting ISIS terrorists as refugees.” He’s lying and attempting to instill fear.
LIE: Ted Cruz: “We deserve an immigration system that puts America first. And yes, builds a wall to keep us safe. That stops admitting ISIS terrorists as refugees.”
THE TRUTH
New York Times: “Syrians must pass many layers of security checks before being admitted to the United States, a process that can take two years or longer.”
Syrians must pass many layers of security checks before being admitted to the United States, a process that can take two years or longer. In most cases, the refugees do not enter the United States until the very end. They are also subject to an additional layer of checks beyond those for refugees of other nationalities; after the Paris attacks, the House voted to further tighten screening procedures. Since 2011, the United States has admitted fewer than 2,000 Syrian refugees.
PolitiFact: “There’s no real precedent of a terrorist slipping in through the [refugee] vetting system.”
Their names, biographical information and fingerprints are run through federal terrorism and criminal databases. Meanwhile, the refugees are interviewed by Department of Homeland Security officials. If approved, they then undergo a medical screening, a match with sponsor agencies, ‘cultural orientation’ classes and one final security clearance. Syrian refugees in particular must clear one additional hurdle. Their documents are placed under extra scrutiny and cross-referenced with classified and unclassified information. The process typically takes one to two years or longer and happens before a refuge ever steps onto American soil. Ultimately, says the State Department, about half are approved, and there’s no real precedent of a terrorist slipping in through the vetting system.
Associated Press: Refugee vetting is “a drawn-out process that includes in-person interviews overseas and involves multiple agencies, led by Homeland Security.”
Late last year, the Obama administration for the first time disclosed details about how refugees are investigated. Officials described a drawn-out process that includes in-person interviews overseas and involves multiple agencies, led by Homeland Security. Refugees must submit to interviews before they can come, and provide biographical details about themselves — their families, friendships, social or political activities, employment, telephone numbers, email accounts and more. They also provide biometric information, including fingerprints. Syrians are subject to additional, classified controls that officials have declined to describe specifically. Refugee processing generally takes 18 months to 24 months. It can be longer for Syrians.