These issues i have mentioned lead me to introduce the Refugee ProgramIntegrity Restoration act of 2017. Into place that where it should be in Congress Also the states and localities should have a true state whether theyn can resettle refugees to detect fraud or reduce National Security concerns. I know this past tuesday marked thees end of the suspension of executive order. And i know that department of against screening with refugee applicants with that adjudication m process but that Previous Administration said in response to any security related questions the serb refugees were the mostriue vetted but even after never understood by the administration thought simply because they were the most vetted that it was sufficient but it seems within months of taking over they have identified several areas in which it could be improved and i appreciate the attention to security concerns and the steps taken i look forward to the testimony of the witnesses and i yield back the of balance of my time i now recognize our Ranking Member for an Opening Statement. My highest priority is protecting our National Security. This presents an opportunity toto examine a threat to that security with the entire refugee agenda. He is characterized immigrantss in generally and refugees as bad actors benton harming americans the odds of an american being killed in a terrorist attack by refugee or one out of 3 billion buck the odds is struck by lightning one in 700,000. It is a refugees undermining the nations security but mr. Trumps radical restriction on their ignition m with multiple bands and to be imposed at global displacement to be record high in the failure of leadership in the world to identify those ways these policies undermine our safety by substantially lowering refugee of missions to project an time muslim a former ambassador to iraq and afghanistan put it this way. Those who stand against Refugee Resettlement say theyre putting the nation at greater risk by influencing the Islamic State merited so in other words, Donald Trumps actions galvanized individuals instigating terrorist attacks against americans they damage with key allies the vhs secretary under george to be bush warned of the implications for the iraqi allies 60,000 await resettlement in america many of their lives are risk because of their assistants to the American Military and state department the yet fiscal year 2018 ceiling means only a smallan portion will be resettled by turning their back president ec trump discourages them as well as other parties from helping the United States with antiterrorist initiatives proposed such National Security consequences are so significant white house aides appeared to deliberately marginalized the National Security agencys to push through the record low caps cutting now that Terrorism Center in keeping the stake holders resettlementng those who stated he suppressed evidence important to consider to determine the refugee numbers National Security interest. It gives the i appearance the Trump Administration will prioritize the entire refugee agenda over the safety of the American People of course, my colleagues support those betting measures we have no higher duty and protecting the American People but to view that refugee vetting procedure as a backdoor muslim they and after all federal court said it is against the National Security objectives they do more security that is why past president s will alboin contrary to this administration with numerous studies show they enhance the economy even as study was produced turvey administration to repress it to make an Economic Contribution of 63 billion the study found refugees are more likely to become entrepreneurs to create jobs for American Workers and in my own district refugees have enriched our community i am deeply troubled with the disconnect of the o rhetoric and reality of todays hearing will show a greater regard for the truth really to the American People to show how these antia refugee policies make all of us less safe but also the wind day enter our country they have Constitutional Rights that must we respected i am sure we will explore that further during the course of the hearing and i yield back seven mb to recognize the full Committee Chairman for his Opening Statement. I appreciate you holding this hearing today on this issue with this outstanding panel of witnesses. The United States has a generous Refugee Program providing millions to flee persecution with safe haven. We resettled e4994 refugees last fiscal year 53,716 refugees. And while we should continue that tradition it has become clear policies have been abused and need reform. The refugee act of 1980 created the current process that the president said the annual limits that the United States can resettle sold to be considered who is admissible or to become permanent lawful resident status putting in place of federal government to work through nongovernmental agencies to resettle refugees but 37 years later voicing a growing number of concerns how many and the process the refugees are admitted to the United States as well as what happens once they are admitted that the federal government has done little to respect to those concerns with the state or locality expressed a concern the Administration Simply repeated the sound bite they undergo the most rigorous background checks that ignored the concerns of several Security Officials live there is no information regarding a potential refugee then no derogatory information will show what and in ministates the refugees are imbedded, there is no reliable information we know over 300 individuals actively investigated by the fbi came to the United States as refugees and at least two of the 10 attacks from september 11 were perpetrated by individuals to enter the United States as refugees in addition into security concerns with the costa of Refugee Resettlement or lack of compliance and opportunities the Prior Administration and did little in response the federal government has the right to resettle refugees across america. So while that may be true it is not necessarily the best practice. Many resettlement organizations to necessary work but to the these decisions to the administration feeds opposition on though whole purport of the Job Administration has addressed some of the concerns for instance i was happy to see executive order signed to recognize the problem with lack of state and local consultation prior to resettlement and asking to devise a plan to involve the states in the plan the same executive order required a review of refugee processing for what improvements could be made and then implement those improvements i live for hearing how the department of homeless in Security Health and Human Services working together to improve the entire program from referral to post resettlement it can remain a viable part of u. S. Immigration policy for a highyield back. I now recognize mr. Conyers for his Opening Statement. T good morning. Over the course of todays hearing with the United States refugee Emissions Program there are several factorsev i want our witnesses and members to consider. It is incontrovertible the United States since its founding has been a nation of immigrants and in recognition of that fact with the value that they contribute to the collective wellbeing has provided safe harbor for the persecuted. So those that have championed the Refugee Resettlement for example, the emissions averaged 94,000 since the refugee act of 1980 making america the worlds and just one year ago the cab was increased at 110,000 in response to the global humanitarian crisis from the wars and unstableun political environments. And unfortunately that administration abandons americas bipartisan decision per probe of President Trump issued a series of bands fiscal year 2018 ceiling of the lowest of modern history in terms of percapita Refugee Resettlement ranking with eight other nations under these circumstances they be in the face of our countrys values but at a time when the worldwide refugee level has soared to the highest in history this is unconscionable and worst yet the justification for its actions are baseless they say it poses a security threat. Needless to say democrats stand committed to rigorous refuge the r vetting. But both parties agree it is the absence of robust resettlement that truly undermines americas safety. By slashing refugee of missions President Trump goes against the ongoing fight against terrorism to strengthen the isis recruitment. The administration also claims refugees failed to assimilate with Public Resources however the facts are otherwise. An internal study by a health and human o services are pressed by the administration shows that refugees contributed a net positive 63 billion to the United States over a 10 year period. In other words, it is sent refugees but the president s restrictions of their admissions that taps the coffers so some are just not tens of thousands of refugees they dont is violate core American Values a but they we can our National Security damage the economy up against the nations core values that they eggs the question was really fuel such policies . So that appears to be a combination or perhaps a volatile bigotry from Many Organizations designated by the law center as hate groups with those documented links to the White Nationalist. This administration has even proposed refugee assimilation test. Such as those seen a phobic members. Which restricted immigration like that 1924ct act and in closing to examine these policies tend to assess to endanger our values sorry economy or even hour National Security for for a look forward to your testimony and i yield back. Of thee record. If we had unanimous consent with that refugee assistanceti project and with the cater institute and of a letter to the acting secretary from over 100 organizations. In addition to many others. Without objection. Today we have a distinguished panel those statements will be entered into the record in its entirety i ask you summarized your testimony five minutes or less there is a light on your table when it switchesmo from green to yellow you have one minute to conclude when it turns red your five minutes has expired please stand to be sworn in. Do you swear the testimony youre about to give is the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the t truth . Let the record reflect these witnesses answered in the affirmative. Please be seated mr. Simon Simon Henshaw has been serving at the department of state since july 15th 2017 previously serving as director of the Indian Affairs and the state Departments Bureau from the embassy in honduras and several other capacities at the state department attending the National War College and has a bachelor of arts in history from the history of massachusetts the director of u. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services serving as the director of immigration policy as the acting director of Border Security policy of the d. H. Us office of policy before serving at the headquarters working at the of office as chief counsel in the adjudications receiving his degree from georgetown with the masters degree from columbia and a bachelors degree in physics and Political Science from the Massachusetts Institute of technology. Ed the director of office of Refugee Resettlement previously working as an attorney in the Public Policy office before joining he worked and private practice hhs on capitol hill receiving his undergraduate at James Madison university earning hisdi j. D. At the Columbus School of law. Miss gamblers director from the gao home in security where she leaves the work on Border Security joining gao in 2002 of prior she worked at the National Endowment for Democracy International forum for internationalti studies in is from the Naval War College with International Relations from syracuse and in Political Science i now recognize mr. Hentoff for his statement. Thank you very much for holding this hearing on the refugee additions program. So with the department of Common Security hhs and gao, to gather the department of state and hhs plan to bring 45,000 refugees to the United States t fiscal year 2018. The security and welfare of the American People is this administrations top priority to Institute Additional procedures with that adjudication to strengthen the system and continue to find ways to protect the American People we are committed to detect fraud and we will continue security measures with threats to the National Security fyi 2018 to settle than any other country we will continue to the most vulnerable that have been persecuted because of race or religion or nationality or a social group or political opinion since 1925 more than 3. 4 million refugees through the Assistance Program the United States demonstrates the most full the role of the worlds refugees row keeping americans say from our reporting to deny this statesss commission there a 65. Six People Better displaced in the world and those that are refugees. So to focus on those three Durable Solutions repatriation and resettlement to a third country United States recognizes that most look for voluntary return to their homeland and we share their priority to facilitate the repatriation from safety andd dignity. In 2,016,552,000 voluntarily were repatriated for go for those who are unable to return safely to their home country the United States for its effort to become selfsufficient and locally integratete for a they encourage host governments to allow them to integrate into local communities to enhance Self Reliance with social services. And for those to integrate e then while waiting for repatriation those who could not return home safely or integratey to provide protection the vetting process is managed by vhs including participation of the fbi and Intelligence Community including the National Counterterrorism to have the authority to refuse refugees poured mission in response to executive order protecting from forced entry refugee admissions were suspended at 120 day period with certain exceptions for preparing this period with the office of the director of National Intelligence previewed and enhance the security screening for refugees for could discourage me with the potential for higher risk. So refugees should become economically selfsufficient as quickly as possible. The department of state works domestically to assure the refugees receive services during the first 90 days after a rival so during and after the resettlement period vhs office provides Technical Assistance and funding is to stay the district of columbia and nonprofit organizations to be interpret