Obama’s refugee program under pressure to reach resettlement goal

World Today

Obama’s refugee program under pressure to reach resettlement goal

Every year, U.S government is helping thousands to millions of refugees come to stay and live in the states for a safer life.

Although this refugee program is facing criticism from the Republican, who fears the terrorist may come with the refugee, the Obama government insists refugees are going through strict background check before their arriving.

CCTV America’s Jim Spellman reports.

After months of waiting, Nadim Fawzi Jouriyeh, a Syrian refugee and father of three, is on his way to a new life in the United States.

“There’s fear and joy at the same time, fear of the unknown and our new lives but great joy for our children’s lives and future,” Jouriyeh said.

His family is among a group that includes the 10,000 refugees admitted to the U.S. from Syria in the one year period that will end Oct. 1. President Obama had set a goal of admitting 10,000 Syrian refugees by the end of next month.

Last year, as Europe saw a massive influx of refugees, the Obama administration faced pressure to bring more Syrians to the U.S. The number was raised from 1,500 a year to at least 10,000 a year.

The refugee program has been criticized by Republicans who fear terrorists could come into the country mixed with refugees, but officials said refugees being resettled in the U.S. go through rigorous background checks.

“I want to be clear: meeting the goal of resettling 10 thousands Syrian refugees did not come at the cost of our comprehensive and robust security measures. Refugees are the most thoroughly screened category of travelers to the United States,” U.S. Ambassador to Jordan, Alice Wells said.

Once in the U.S., life for Syrian refugees can be difficult, but much safer than it is back in Syria.

“Any mother likes to see their children sleeping safely; it’s the same thing for me as a Syrian. And as you like to feed your kids and make sure that you have enough for them, I feel the same way about my kids,” Syrian Refugee Safa Mshymish Alrife said.