State Sen. Roger Thompson said he fully supports calls by Gov. Mary Fallin and members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation to suspend the acceptance of Syrian refugees into the United States until it’s determined that the vetting process is as thorough as possible.  The statements came on the heels of last weekend’s deadly attacks in Paris and reports that ISIS terrorists behind those strikes entered France pretending to be Syrian Refugees.
“Our number one priority must be doing all we can to ensure the safety of our citizens.  That means suspending the admission of Syrian refugees until we can verify the background checks are as rigorous as they need to be,” said Thompson, R-Okemah. “This is a responsible, effective approach and within the Obama administration’s power to implement.”
Thompson said Oklahomans also need to be aware that claims of dozens of Syrian refugees entered Oklahoma last month are false.
“Since 2012, only three Syrian refugees have come to Oklahoma, and they were processed through Catholic Charities—they predominantly only assist refugees who want to be reunited with family already living here, and that’s exactly what happened.   The three refugees, age 50, 44 and 14, are now living with family members in Jenks,” Thompson said.  “Catholic Charities in Tulsa and Catholic Charities in Oklahoma City are the only two refugee processing affiliates in our state, and Governor Fallin has voiced her support and confidence in them.”
As to statements from other states about closing their borders to Syrian refugees, Thompson said such rhetoric may have appeal, but legal experts agree the states have absolutely no authority or ability to keep out political refugees.
“I know governors in some states have said they will refuse to let any refugees in, but the fact is they are making promises they can’t keep.  Immigration is a federal issue and the states simply cannot create their own foreign policy,” Thompson said.  “Empty, misleading rhetoric won’t make people safer, but what Governor Fallin, Senator Jim Inhofe, and U.S. Representative Markwayne Mullin have called for would make a tremendous difference in assuring the American people that their lives are not being placed at risk.”