Republicans in Illinois' Congressional delegation are on board with Governor Bruce Rauner's move to temporarily close the state's borders to Syrian refugees in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris. The state's eight Republican House members are also condemning President Obama's plan to let in 10,000 refugees from that country this year.
The congressmen sent a letter to the president, asking the administration to halt the acceptance of refugees from Syria and Iraq until more stringent security screening measures are in place for would-be immigrants.
Congressman John Shimkus, who represents much of Central and Southern Illinois, says he's fearful members of the Islamic State group who claimed ownership of the Paris attacks could slip through the immigration system.
"These are the people who lop off heads of Christians. And other people who don't agree with them. They're barbaric. So the question for the free world is do we want to allow these folks to continue to move on this reign of terror in this world?"
Refugee advocates say the immigration process into the U.S. is already a thorough and slow-moving one including interviews and criminal background checks.
Shimkus also says he doesn't see any other choice but to put American boots on the ground to fight ISIS...but only if another country, like France, or group like NATO leads the charge.
