Sessions Issues Statement On Orlando Terrorist Attack

Sessions is in the running to be Mr. Trump’s VP.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) released the following statement today in response to the terrorist attack in Orlando, Florida:               

“My prayers go out to the victims of this horrible tragedy and their families. It is with a heavy heart that we yet again see the effects of Islamic terrorism here at home.

The fundamental challenge we face is how we defend America. Congress and the President must set policies that protect the country and its people as effectively as possible.

To do that, we need good data on what has been happening and where the threats are coming from.  While the vast majority of Muslims are law-abiding and peaceful, we must face the uncomfortable reality that not only are immigrants from Muslim-majority countries coming to the United States, radicalizing, and attempting to engage in acts of terrorism, such as in Boston and Chattanooga; but also, their first-generation American children are susceptible to the toxic radicalization of terrorist organizations. We saw it in San Bernardino just six months ago, and in Orlando yesterday.

Over the last ten months, Senator Cruz and I sent three letters to the Departments of Homeland Security, State, and Justice, asking for basic immigration information about those who have recently been implicated in terrorism. To date, we have not received a substantive response.  This information should be readily available. Failure to produce the information hides needed information from the public and legislators. This refusal represents the deliberate hiding of data.  And so, our nation continues to wander blindly down a path, failing to recognize that what lies ahead of us may be more harmful than what lies behind us. 

No one has a constitutional right to enter the United States. People in this country have the right to be fully protected in the practice of their religion and expression of their political views against unfair treatment based on those beliefs. But foreign nationals do not have a right to demand entry to the United States, and it is perfectly appropriate for the country to refuse admission to those whose presence may be detrimental to the national interest.

The national security challenges that we face at home are not insurmountable. However, this Administration makes it almost impossible for law enforcement to do their jobs by continuing to bring an unprecedented number of people into the country each year, including a massive number from the Middle East – over 100,000 in FY2014 alone, a 32 percent increase from FY2013. Moreover, the administration is bringing in at least 10,000 Syrian refugees who cannot be adequately screened for security risks and potential for radicalization. And these numbers do not even account for the thousands crossing our unsecured borders, including those from high-risk countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria and others.

This President’s failure to accept the reality of the threat we face has only emboldened our enemies, and we should expect more attacks like this one unless this Administration’s dangerous policies dramatically change. This colossal failure of leadership endangers us all. Yesterday’s deadly terror attack tragically underscores the urgent need to change course and secure our country.”