U.S. House Of Representatives Approves Bill Tightening Screening Procedures For Syrian Refugees Entering The United States

The House voted to tighten the screening procedures for Syrian refugees entering the nation for resettlement despite the objection of US President Barack Obama. Reports have revealed that the decision to curb Syrian migrants came after multiple attacks took place in Paris on November 13.

The New York Times forecasted Thursday that the bill passed 289 to 137 on the same day. According to reports, the number is more than the required votes to overrule a president's veto. In addition, around 50 Democrats reportedly voted in favor of the bill.

Meanwhile, Democrats who are against the GOP bill restricting Syrian refugees said the US has no plans to close its doors from Syrian migrants who are seeking refuge in the nation, Al Jazeera reported Thursday.

"Defeating terrorism should not mean slamming the door in the faces of those fleeing the terrorists," says Jerrold Lewis Nadler, US Representative for New York's 10th congressional district. "We might as well take down the Statue of Liberty."

Obama conveyed the same message through his social media account.

"Slamming the door in the face of refugees would betray our deepest values. That's not who we are. And it's not what we're going to do."

Also, the White House said the bill "would unacceptably hamper our efforts to assist some of the most vulnerable people in the world, many of whom are victims of terrorism, and would undermine our partners in the Middle East and Europe in addressing the Syrian refugee crisis."

On the other hand, Republicans said that the US must always guard its own people first before opening doors to cater migrants to resettlement.

"It is against the values of our nation and the values of a free society to give terrorists the opening they are looking for," House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy says.