Vitter to Mayor Landrieu: Join me in Calling on Obama to Stop Accepting Syrian Refugees

11/15/2015-- 7:42 PM CDT

METAIRIE, LA – David Vitter today sent a letter to New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Michael Harrison urging them to work with him and call on President Obama to change his policy on Syrian refugees and to deploy significant counter-terrorism measures. President Obama is planning to take in 10,000 Syrian refugees. Reports show that some have already arrived in Louisiana, and more are on their way.

A copy of Vitter’s letter is below. Attached is a letter that Sen. Vitter sent to the Obama Administration on Sept. 28 warning of significant security concerns with allowing a massive wave of Syrian refugees.

November 15, 2015

Superintendent Michael Harrison

715 South Broad St

New Orleans, LA 70119

Dear Mayor Landrieu and Superintendent Harrison:

We are still reeling from the horrible violence of the recent attacks in Paris. As we stand with the French people, we must also take much greater precautions to prevent terrorists from settling into New Orleans as part of the current wave of Syrian refugees President Obama is sending here.

As you know, New Orleans is expecting an influx of Syrian refugees, some of whom have already arrived. Based on all the information available to me, I have no confidence that these refugees are being fully and properly vetted to ensure they contain absolutely no terrorists elements.

Please join me and others in demanding that President Obama stop accepting these Syrian refugees immediately, and stop settling any into New Orleans, given this unacceptable lax security and lack of full vetting on their backgrounds.

As you know, many other cities where these refugees have been settled have expressed strong security concerns. For instance, the New York Police Department announced this week that it is deploying all counter-terrorism resources to ensure there are no copycat or coordinated attacks in New York. We, too, are a port city and a major tourist destination, and as such, I request that the City of New Orleans and the New Orleans Police Department to deploy any and all counter-terrorism and public safety resources to crowded areas around the city, particularly the French Quarter.

In these tragic hours, we must stand up against terrorism and take strong actions to protect our families and our communities. This is of utmost importance, which is why I offer my support, resources, and time to work with you to protect our families and community here in New Orleans.

Thank you for your service. I look forward to your quick response regarding asking President Obama to change his policy on Syrian refugees and your deployment of significant counter-terrorism measures.

Sincerely,

David Vitter

U.S. Senator