This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/03/refugees-drc-congo-us-syria

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
US accepts more refugees from DRC than Syria despite high-profile concerns US accepts more refugees from DRC than Syria amid warnings over militants
(35 minutes later)
Refugees coming to the United States from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) outnumbered those from Syria over the last year, US state department data has revealed amid a heated debate over refugees ahead of the 8 November election.Refugees coming to the United States from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) outnumbered those from Syria over the last year, US state department data has revealed amid a heated debate over refugees ahead of the 8 November election.
The high number of refugees from the DRC follows violence and political turmoil in the central African nation, said Kathleen Newland, a senior fellow at the Washington DC-based Migration Policy Institute.The high number of refugees from the DRC follows violence and political turmoil in the central African nation, said Kathleen Newland, a senior fellow at the Washington DC-based Migration Policy Institute.
It may also reflect an easier passage for those from DRC, a majority Christian country, through the stringent vetting process refugees must undergo to enter the United States, she said.It may also reflect an easier passage for those from DRC, a majority Christian country, through the stringent vetting process refugees must undergo to enter the United States, she said.
“We have been extremely sensitive to the possibility of people who have been involved with militia groups, with rebel groups from Syria coming in through the refugee program,” Newland said.“We have been extremely sensitive to the possibility of people who have been involved with militia groups, with rebel groups from Syria coming in through the refugee program,” Newland said.
“There is not an Islamist element among the combatants in DRC – at least that worry is not an element in the screening process.”“There is not an Islamist element among the combatants in DRC – at least that worry is not an element in the screening process.”
The United States admitted 16,370 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo during the 2016 fiscal year to the end of September, compared with 12,587 Syrian refugees.The United States admitted 16,370 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo during the 2016 fiscal year to the end of September, compared with 12,587 Syrian refugees.
US admission of Syrian refugees has been a hot button issue in the presidential race, with the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, warning that violent militants could enter the country posing as refugees.US admission of Syrian refugees has been a hot button issue in the presidential race, with the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, warning that violent militants could enter the country posing as refugees.
His Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, has supported accepting some of those fleeing the war-torn country.His Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, has supported accepting some of those fleeing the war-torn country.
The United States has offered refuge to far fewer Syrian refugees than many of its allies. In September, the state of Texas gave notice that it was withdrawing from participating in the federal refugee resettlement program, citing security concerns.The United States has offered refuge to far fewer Syrian refugees than many of its allies. In September, the state of Texas gave notice that it was withdrawing from participating in the federal refugee resettlement program, citing security concerns.
In 2015, Democratic President Barack Obama announced plans to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees this year, sparking fierce criticism, mostly from Republicans who said the plan could put Americans at risk. His administration announced in August that it would meet that goal.In 2015, Democratic President Barack Obama announced plans to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees this year, sparking fierce criticism, mostly from Republicans who said the plan could put Americans at risk. His administration announced in August that it would meet that goal.
After the DRC and Syria, most refugees admitted to the United States in 2016 came from Myanmar, Iraq and Somalia, US state department figures showed.After the DRC and Syria, most refugees admitted to the United States in 2016 came from Myanmar, Iraq and Somalia, US state department figures showed.