releases: https://davidyoung.house.gov/survey/should-we-look-online-presence-incoming-refugees
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://davidyoung.house.gov/survey/should-we-look-online-presence-incoming-refugees | Should we look at the online presence of incoming refugees? | 2015-12-20 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | IA | David Young | Y000066 | davidyoung.house.gov | legacy | Did you see San Bernadino terrorist, Tashfeen Malik, reportedly made statements online supporting attacks against the U.S. almost two years before being granted a visa allowing her to enter America? The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this week it has a policy against viewing applicants' social media posts because they are concerned about the public relations "optics" of vetting online posts. In response, Congress is again looking to strengthen our vetting of foreigners coming to the U.S. and tighten potential loopholes. Here is another legislative proposal we are considering, but I want to know what you think. The U.S. visa process reportedly missed the San Bernardino wife's zealotry in her social media posts. Do you believe the U.S. should require vetting of immigrants' online statements and social media posts prior to allowing them entry into the country? TAKE THE SURVEY QUESTION HERE! Only American leadership will win this fight. Congress is taking these terrorist threats seriously and we are listening to the American people. When I visit with Iowans throughout the 3rd Congressional District, national and personal security is what I hear about more and more. Folks feel less safe and they do not feel as secure as they once had and should. The number one responsibility of the federal government is to keep Americans safe and secure. I take that responsibility seriously. Congress is listening and acting to consider and pass commonsense, effective and bipartisan solutions. Before Thanksgiving, the U.S. House strengthened, with a veto-proof majority, a certification requirement for our refugee program. This was a measure to add an extra layer of scrutiny in the security process of our refugee program. It passed with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote with Democrats and Republicans coming together to recognize refugees simply need to be properly vetted and background checked before entering the United States. I then led a letter from members of Congress to Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, reiterating Congress and the administration has a responsibility to protect Americans "against all enemies, foreign and domestic." My letter asks the Secretary a series of important questions on our ability to effectively screen refugees, the states' role in this process, and what steps the Department of Homeland Security is taking to improve security screening of the Visa Waiver Program. You can read the letter here. Then almost two weeks ago, the House acted again to reaffirm this commitment to national security and place the safety of Americans as our top priority. By a bipartisan vote of 407 yeas to 19 nays the House passed the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act. This legislation closes loopholes in the visa waiver system to prevent terrorists from exploiting it. I was pleased to see this legislation included in our year-long spending bill to help ensure we know who is crossing our borders. The federal government ought to fulfill its duty to protect Americans. Period. It is just that simple. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |