Bowling Green Today

U.S Senator Rand Paul and U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, along with 33 other Republican Senators, have come together to demand President Biden halt his reported plan to welcome Gazan refugees into the United States. In a joint statement, the senators expressed concerns about potential terrorist ties among the refugees and urged the administration to prioritize the return of American citizens held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

"Our first obligation should be to rescue our own citizens, not Gazans," stated Senator Rand Paul.

The senators raised issues regarding the security risks associated with accepting Gazan refugees, particularly citing the support for Hamas militants among a significant portion of the Gazan population. They emphasized the importance of thorough vetting processes to ensure individuals with terrorist ties or sympathies are not admitted into the United States.

Highlighting the recent increase in arrests of individuals on the FBI terror watch lists at the border, the lawmakers questioned the administration's ability to effectively vet refugees from Gaza. They underscored the necessity of preventing potential terrorists from entering the country under the guise of being refugees.

In their communication to President Biden, the senators requested detailed information regarding the number of refugees the administration plans to accept, the screening procedures in place to prevent terrorist sympathizers from entering the country, the financial burden on taxpayers, consultations with regional partners, and the designated locations for refugee housing.

The senators' demands reflect their commitment to national security and ensuring the safety of American citizens. They urged the administration to address these concerns and focus on securing the release of U.S. hostages held by Hamas before proceeding with plans to welcome Gazan refugees into the country.

The full letter outlining the senators' demands can be found on Senator Rand Paul's official website.