Immigrant advocates push back on refugee restrictions; lawmakers defend votes

Immigrant advocacy groups expressed "deep concern" to Long Island members of Congress who last week backed a bill increasing scrutiny on refugees from Syria and Iraq seeking entry to the United States.

Fourteen organizations, including Christian groups and a mosque brought together by the Long Island Civic Engagement Table, called on those representatives to reconsider.

"The House vote transformed a global tragedy in Paris into a political fight steeped in anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric that will poison the national conversation around immigration and damage the fabric of our communities," stated their letter, co-signed by the Masjid Darul Qur'an, a mosque also known as The Muslim Center of Long Island, in Bay Shore, and the Sisters of Saint Joseph, a congregation of Roman Catholic nuns in Brentwood.

The message was addressed to Reps. Steve Israel (D-Huntington), Peter King (R-Seaford), Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City) and Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley). Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans) was not included because he opposed the bill.

The bill's bipartisan backing speaks to the popularity of the proposal, brought forth after terrorist attacks by Islamist extremists in Paris. It passed 289-137.

The American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act would require certification for refugees from Syria and Iraq, so that Homeland Security, the FBI and National Intelligence directors assure Congress that each refugee "is not a threat to the security of the United States."

Chances for a vote in the Senate remained questionable, and President Barack Obama had announced his intention to veto the measure. The White House maintains that refugees undergo a rigorous vetting process.

Congress members said their vote is about security.

"I don't need these people lecturing me on morality," King said of the advocates. He referenced his 1990s support for Muslim refugees from the Balkans. "Our obligation is to protect the American people and, at this stage, there's not sufficient means to vet them" due to lack of records, databases or intelligence.

Israel said the legislation "simply puts additional safeguards in place." Rice said she backed the measure because it "does not shut our doors to Syrian refugees" while strengthening the screening process.

Zeldin said the bill looks to prevent abuse of the system. "For those who want to help 10,000 refugees," he said, "there is a better way to help millions more: defeat ISIS," the extremist group in Syria.

Walter Barrientos, Long Island organizer of advocacy group Make The Road New York, among signatories, said the restrictions are unfair and can have negative effects in immigrant communities, particularly if South Asians and Muslims are eyed with suspicion.

"The rhetoric around this bill," Barrientos said, "is feeding on some of the fear and xenophobia that we have seen."