GOP Leaders Criticize Refugee Plan After Terror-Related Arrests In Houston, Sacramento
SACRAMENTO (CBS13/AP) - A handful of Republican leaders have begun to use the arrests of alleged terrorist group supporters in Sacramento and Houston as vindication for their anti-refugee stances.
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker tweeted Friday asking if people still wonder why he raised concerns about ensuring that Syrian refugees coming into his state are safe. He included a link to a story about the arrests.
Do people still wonder why we raised legitimate concerns about ensuring safety of people coming into WI from Syria? https://t.co/SzgcxeV292
— Governor Walker (@GovWalker) January 8, 2016
Almost immediately after the arrests were announced Thursday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement strongly criticizing President Barack Obama's refugee resettlement efforts.
"I applaud the FBI for today's arrest of this dangerous subject. However, this is precisely why I called for a halt to refugees entering the U.S. from countries substantially controlled by terrorists. I once again urge the President to halt the resettlement of these refugees in the United States until there is an effective vetting process that will ensure refugees do not compromise the safety of Americans and Texans," Abbott wrote.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and GOP presidential candidate also called for a retroactive review of all refugees who have come to the US.
Federal authorities arrested the two men with alleged ties to the Islamic State in California and Texas on Thursday. One of them, Sacramento resident Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab, is accused of traveling to Syria to fight.
According to court documents, Al-Jayab came to the United States from Syria as a refugee. While living in Arizona and Wisconsin he communicated on social media about wanting to return to Syria to fight for terrorists and discussed fighting against the regime there in the past.
Three of Al-Jayab's relatives were arrested in Milwaukee on Thursday.