Smith Sponsors Poe-Cruz Legislation Supporting States’ Right to Refuse Refugees

WASHINGTON, D.C—Today, Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) joined Congressman Ted Poe (R-Texas) in introducing H.R. 4197, the State Refugee Security Act of 2015, a companion bill to Senator Ted Cruz’s legislation (S. 2363).  Smith previously sponsored similar legislation with Poe, H.R. 4032, introduced on November 17, which would protect states’ rights to refuse to participate in the federal refugee resettlement program.

Congressman Lamar Smith: “The federal government should not force states like Texas to accept Syrian refugees they view as a security threat. We continue to hear about our limitations in vetting these refugees, yet administration officials have testified that 80 to 90 percent are being approved for admission. This is why I continue to fully support this legislation and the actions of governors like Texas Governor Abbott to protect the residents and the interests of their states.”

Under H.R. 4197 and S. 2363, the federal government is required to notify a state at least 21 days prior to resettling a refugee there. During that period, if a state governor certifies that the federal government has not provided adequate assurances that the refugee does not present a security risk, the federal government is prohibited from resettling that refugee in the state.