'Tired of the gaslighting': Internet skeptical as Dems defend ‘vetting process’ for allowing Gaza refugees

WASHINGTON, DC: A senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee has criticized Republican outcry over allegations that the Biden administration is thinking about allowing refugees from Gaza to enter the US, as per the New York Post.

Representative Jim Himes criticized Republicans in Congress for raising a fuss over the issue and emphasized the stringent vetting procedures in place for refugees.

Jim Himes defends ‘vetting process’ for refugees

When asked if he was confident that people coming from Gaza would be appropriately vetted, Himes told 'Fox News Sunday', "What I can tell you is that this is not a thing. The only way that people can apply for refugee status is if they … begin a very lengthy process of vetting."

He added, "A number of Republican senators and over-caffeinated Florida senators may want to be selling an awful lot of fear right now, I would challenge you to come up with examples where refugees who have been vetted have come to this country and committed acts of terrorism."

Notably, Sen Marco Rubio, who appeared on 'Fox News Sunday' before Himes, was most certainly the target of the jab.

Top administration officials have been considering many options to admit a limited number of Gazans with family in the US, including some who left the Palestinian enclave for Egypt to avoid the war, according to a CBS News story from last week.

During a news briefing last week, White House press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was questioned about the report and said, "We just don’t have anything to announce at this time."

Based on data as of March 31, the US has only admitted 16 Palestinians under the State Department's Refugee Admissions Program since October 1, 2023.

Himes said, "While we will continue to admit refugees from around the world, as is our international legal obligation, it is a very strong vetting process."

Typically, vetting looks at things like eligibility, medical history, security red flags, and more. Additionally, prospective refugees would probably need to present proof that they are escaping persecution of any kind, especially political persecution.

Rubio, along with over 30 other Republican senators, wrote President Biden a letter last week requesting information about potential plans to accept Palestinian refugees.

They wrote, "Unfortunately, the risk of terrorists entering our homeland is no hypothetical matter. We are also concerned that any U.S. refugee plan may exacerbate the tense situation at the Gaza-Egypt border."

Internet mocks democrats as they defend ‘vetting process’ of refugees

Several people on the internet reacted to Jim Himes' criticism of Republicans for raising a fuss over the issue and emphasized the stringent vetting procedures for refugees.

A user wrote on X, "I'm tired of the gaslighting, but that is all they have", while another added, "All the records miraculously survived the supposed extinction of the Palestinians."

A person also posted, "Make sure to place them next door to said 'top house Democrat'. Given the 'very strong vetting ' he/she should be delighted", whereas another mentioned, "The same vetting process they have been using at our southern border??"

A person also wrote, "It’s an administration of grifters and plunkers!" while one said, "How do you know when a politician is lying? Their lips are moving."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.