Bill Text: MI SCR0022 | 2015-2016 | 98th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A concurrent resolution to urge Governor Snyder to maintain his current position on the relocation of Syrian refugees into the state of Michigan until the Legislature affirms by resolution their resettlement, to prioritize the safety and well-being of Michiganders, and to continue to pursue policies that ensure the security of this state.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 9-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-12-15 - Referred To Committee On Government Operations [SCR0022 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2015-SCR0022-Introduced.html
Senator Colbeck offered the following concurrent resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 22.
A concurrent resolution to urge Governor Snyder to maintain his current position on the relocation of Syrian refugees into the state of Michigan until the Legislature affirms by resolution their resettlement, to prioritize the safety and well-being of Michiganders, and to continue to pursue policies that ensure the security of this state.
Whereas, The President of the United States, under the Refugee Act of 1980, has issued an executive order increasing the intake of refugees from Syria to 10,000 for fiscal year 2015-2016. These individuals have been subject to an intense civil war pitting government, opposition, and terrorist forces against one another and are fleeing Syria. The program seeks to resettle Syrians in communities across the United States; and
Whereas, Terrorists loyal to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham in Syria—commonly known as ISIS—have recently expanded their campaign from the war-torn streets of Syria to all nations. In these past few months alone, ISIS has claimed responsibility for downing a Russian-bound commercial flight, killing hundreds, and Abdelhamid Abaaoud, an ISIS member, masterminded the coordinated attacks in Paris that killed 129 people and injured more than 350 others. Weeks later in San Bernardino, California, two radicalized terrorists, Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik, killed 14 people and injured another 21 people. These acts have been committed by radicalized citizens and individuals using the visa system; and
Whereas, By increasing the intake of refugees, the President has given individuals who have adopted the teachings and ideology of ISIS a clear legal path into the United States. The FBI Director, James Comey, admits that "there are certain gaps…in the information available to us" when speaking about the process by which refugees are screened to prevent the resettlement of individuals with ties to ISIS. Other visa programs as well as illegal immigration have the potential to aid ISIS too, including student visas, work visas, and the visa waiver program. This was the case with one of the San Bernardino terrorists, Tashfeen Malik; and
Whereas, As the frequency and severity of ISIS attacks increase, measures are needed to protect the citizens of Michigan and the United States. Governor Snyder was correct in suspending the Syrian resettlement program in Michigan in the wake of ISIS's attacks on Paris. To date, Michigan has been one of the top destinations for Syrian refugees in the United States, creating an increased demand on our state's social service programs and our budget. Most importantly, allowing individuals sympathetic to ISIS places at risk the security and well-being of Michiganders and all Americans. Suspending this program has made our state more secure, and efforts must continue to be made to ensure our security; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we urge Governor Snyder to maintain his current position on the relocation of Syrian refugees into the state of Michigan until the Legislature affirms by resolution their resettlement; and be it further
Resolved, That we urge the Governor to prioritize the safety and well-being of Michiganders even if it requires the forfeiture of federal funding for public services and to continue to pursue policies that protect this state from visa holders and illegal immigrants who wish us harm; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Michigan.
