WASHINGTON—The Paris terrorist attack on Nov. 13 demonstrated that ISIS could reach beyond the Middle East to a capital of a Western democracy. The attack has triggered an intense controversy in the United States on the admission of refugees from the Middle East.
ISIS took credit for the simultaneous attacks that killed 130 and wounded 300 plus, including one American. One of the slain terrorists possessed what was probably a fake Syrian passport and had used the cover of an immigrant among the thousands fleeing to Europe from the conflict in Syria.
In the United States, thirty state governors have announced they won’t accept Syrian refugees in their state for resettlement, although they lack the legal authority to stop the federal government from placing refugees in their states.
“In light of the Paris attack in Paris, I call on you to temporarily suspend the admission of all additional refugees into the United States pending a full review of the Syrian refugee resettlement program …, wrote Rep. Michael T. McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, in a letter, dated Nov. 16, addressed to President Obama. McCaul states that a real risk exists that ”terrorist groups will attempt to exploit the refugee resettlement program in order to gain entry into our country.”
