While most Republicans are moving toward denying Syrian refugees asylum in the United States, Mike Duggan, mayor of Detroit, is taking a stand. He has reaffirmed his promise for the city to take in at least 50 refugee families a year over the next three years.
Duggan says he has complete faith in the vetting process, which can sometimes take up to two years to screen out any potential security threats.
The mayor confirmed his renewed commitment at a joint White House conference call. Along with him for the announcement were former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and Austin, Texas Mayor Steve Adler, all of whom assured the public that taking in refugees is not only the right thing to do but the American thing to do.
"Detroit is a welcoming community and it's welcoming refugees, whether they come from Africa or Iraq or Syria. We'll fight the terrorists but provide refuge to their victims. That's what this country is all about ... We'll do our fair share," Duggan said.
To address Republican concerns about terrorists possibly slipping through cracks in the vetting process, Mayorkas said that those fears are completely unfounded. The screening process currently in place is "multi-layered" and "exhaustive."
U.S. President Barack Obama himself criticized Republican lawmakers who are said to be preparing legislation that prevents Syrians from taking refuge in America.
"[Republicans] are scared of widows and orphans coming into the United States of America as part of our tradition of compassion," Obama stated last week.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, however, maintains the nation "cannot let terrorists take advantage of our compassion."
"It's simply prudent that for this particular program in this particular situation that we be better guarded against any possible infiltration," Ryan said.
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