Subject refugees to polygraph: House Republican

Western authorities are particularly concerned that terrorists may sneak into the countries in the guise of refugees.
 
A bill, introduced by Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Director of National Intelligence to confirm that the refugees have passed a polygraph test to enter the United States, The Hill reported Wednesday.
 
The move is proposed as part of a screening process that refugees must pass to set foot on the American soil.
 
Calvert, however, believes that the process, which already takes around two years, is “insufficient.”
 
“It has become all too clear to many Americans that our security screening processes for individuals wishing to enter our country are insufficient,” he said in a statement. “Peaceful people who wish to come to our country with good intentions have nothing to fear with these additional measures."
 
The legislation further calls for other similarly tough measures, such as obtaining biometric data including DNA from the refugees to be checked with terror databases as well as comprehensive background checks that would include online postings by the person.
 
The move could potentially serve as a blow to the administration of President Barack Obama with vows to increase the number of refugees from Iraq and Syria, where Daesh violence still rages on.
 
House Democrats, meanwhile, have vowed to block the measure, when it is moved by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) early next year.
 
Earlier this year, legislation was passed to “pause” entry of refugees from the conflict-ridden countries until the administration could prove they pose no threat to the US national security.
 
Tough measures against Muslim refugees, along with Islamophobia, peaked in the US early in December, when a Takfiri couple, opened fire at a holiday party at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California, killing 14 people.
 
The ISIL terrorists -- some of whom were amongst militants initially trained by the CIA in Jordan in 2012 to destabilize the Syrian government -- now control large parts of Syria and Iraq.