ACLU Comment on House Refugee Resettlement Vote

WASHINGTON — The American Civil Liberties Union denounces the U.S. House passage of the "American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015." The vote was 289-137.

Karin Johanson, director of the ACLU's Washington Legislative Office, said:

"Speaker Ryan and this un-American bill’s supporters falsely claim it will simply pause U.S. resettlement of refugees. In fact, it will bring resettlement of Syrian and Iraqi refugees to a grinding halt by adding layers of bureaucracy to an already rigorous process. It also discriminates against refugees based on their national origin, nationality, and religion. Supporters of this bill want us to turn our backs on refugees who are seeking safe harbor from the very terrorism we all abhor. This is not leadership. We thank the House members who rejected this reactionary impulse and this discriminatory legislation."