US making plans for Syrian migrants: Homeland Security chief
The US Department of Homeland Security is developing a plan right now for taking in at least 10,000 Syrian refugees over the next year, within existing budget constraints, Secretary Jeh Johnson told Reuters on September 15.
While some lawmakers have expressed concern about opening a pipeline into the United States for terrorists, the White House last week made the first specific US commitment to increase acceptance of refugees from the war-torn country.
Johnson said on September 15 that the security review and background checks for refugees would mainly fall to Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) within his agency.
That unit's budget is mostly derived from fees it collects, said Johnson, who spoke to Reuters after a swearing-in ceremony for new citizens in San Francisco.
"CIS does not depend upon, and cannot expect, appropriations from Congress," Johnson said. "The organization has to pay for itself."
White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters on September 14 that the administration for the moment does not see the need to seek additional funding to process refugees.
"There certainly is the potential for that in the future, but as of right now, that's not necessary," Earnest said.
Since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011, the US has taken in 1,500 refugees, with 300 more expected to be cleared by October.