Refugee Social Media Screening: Lawmaker Wants Action

SARASOTA, FL – As the U.S. State Department plans to pick up the pace of allowing Syrian refugees into the country, one lawmaker is urging Congress to act on a bill that would require more comprehensive vetting of those seeking to come to America.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Florida, on Thursday called on members of Congress “to immediately pass (his) bill to screen the social media accounts of foreigners seeking to enter the United States.”

The bill, titled Social Media Screening For Terrorists Act, would require the Department of Homeland Security to closely vet all public records before admitting foreign travelers and visa applicants into the country. The bill covers those seeking entry through the refugee program and would require vetting of Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms.

See Also:

• 'Social Media Screening for Terrorists Act' Filed'
• Staggering Incompetence' Aided Terrorist's U.S. Entry, Lawmaker Says
• Freeze On Syrian Refugees Called For By Florida Lawmaker

In a statement issued Thursday, Buchanan noted that senior Obama administration officials – including Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, FBI Director James Comey and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson – have all testified that ISIS operatives have made attempts to infiltrate refugee populations. Officials have also said the current screening process is not satisfactory, Buchanan noted.

With the United States running behind on meeting President Obama’s goal of admitting 10,000 Syrian refugees into the country by September, the State Department has kicked off a “surge operation,” to speed up the vetting process, The Hill reported. That surge is hoped to bring in about 1,500 Syrian refugees a month into the United States, the publication reported last week. So far, only about 1,300 refugees have been admitted to the country since Obama made the 10,000 promise last September.

“The President’s Syrian refugee surge is dangerous, reckless and wrong,” Buchanan said, adding, “the lives of Americans are endangered when we get rash and careless about who we allow to enter the country.”

Buchanan isn’t alone in his concerns. House Speaker Paul Ryan also voiced reservations about the surge.

“If one person gets through who is planning a terrorist attack in our country, that’s a problem,” The Hill quoted Ryan as saying.

Buchanan also brought up White House press secretary Josh Earnest’s September statement about the screening process typically taking 12 to 18 months to ensure the safety and security of the country.

“The Obama administration is speeding up the process of accepting Syrian refugees when you can drive a truck through the holes in our current screening process,” Buchanan said. “The last thing we need is to speed up an already imperfect process. We can’t leave any stones unturned as Islamic jihadists continue to spread their twisted ideology around the world through their use of social media. American lives are at risk. Congress must pass this legislation immediately and unleash 21st century resources to penetrate and destroy the online activity of ISIS.”

Buchanan’s bill was introduced following last December’s terrorist attack in San Bernardino, Calif. It became clear at that time that the federal government does not screen social media profiles before allowing entry into the country.

The government’s policy of skipping social media postings in background checks has been brought into question in the past. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson reportedly was asked to end the policy in 2014, but refused, FOX news reported. The refusal, ABC News reported, was prompted by fears of a civil liberties backlash and “bad public relations" for the Obama administration.

The Buchanan's social media screening bill has gained momentum since its introduction, but has yet to make it toa full House vote. Buchanan’s office is hoping news of the surge will change that.

Image via Shutterstock

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