预计美国参议院星期三晚些时候将就是否严格限制美国接受叙利亚和伊拉克难民问题举行试探性表决。美国民众担心伊斯兰国和其他恐怖组织的成员可能混在难民中潜入美国。
法国巴黎发生恐怖袭击后，美国国会众议院去年年末通过一项议案，要求联邦调查局、国土安全部和国家情报总监首先确认难民不构成安全威胁，然后才能批准难民进入美国。
白宫表示，难民已然要接受最多长达两年的严格甄别程序，所以这项法案是没有必要的。白宫还说，该法案会有负面作用，有损美国的国际形象，并为伊斯兰国提供宣传手段。
The U.S. Senate is expected to hold a test vote later Wednesday on whether to severely restrict America’s acceptance of refugees from Syria and Iraq, because of continuing fears that Islamic State and other terrorist infiltrators could be among the millions who have fled horrific violence and brutality in their home countries.
The House of Representatives passed the measure late last year with bipartisan support as the world reeled from IS-inspired attacks in Paris, France. It would require the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence to certify that refugees pose no security risks before they could be approved for asylum in the United States.
The White House says the legislation is unneeded, as refugees already undergo an intensive vetting process that can take as long as two years. The White House also argues the measure would be counterproductive, tarnishing America’s image abroad and handing Islamic State a propaganda tool.