Back in November, Mayor Andrew Gillum made national news by telling the Tallahassee Democrat that Tallahassee would continue to be a safe haven for Syrian refugees in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks.
The Mayor also made an appearance on CNN to reiterate his position.
And while some were concerned about terrorists traveling and entering the US with the refugees, Gillum said the “U.S. vetting process for refugees is extremely rigorous, extensive, and comprehensive, and allows us to aid those that pose no threat to our country.”
Now it seems the process may not be as rigorous as Mayor Gillum described to the citizens of Tallahassee back in November.
On Thursday the New York Times reported that two refugees were arrested on terrorism related charges in California and Texas. One of the suspects entered the US via Syria.
From the New York Times:
Both suspects are Palestinians born in Iraq who arrived in the United States as refugees and have been accused of ties to jihadist terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq, including the Islamic State, according to law enforcement officials.
Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan, 24, was arrested in Houston and charged with three counts of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State, according to a statement from the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas.
In California, Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab, 23, was charged with traveling to Syria to fight alongside terrorist groups, including Ansar al-Islam, and lying about his actions to the immigration authorities, according to a statement from the Office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California.
Prosecutors said that Mr. Jayab entered the United States from Syria as a refugee in October 2012, living in Arizona and Wisconsin before settling in Sacramento. Mr. Hardan, who lives in Houston, entered the United States as a refugee in 2009 and was granted legal permanent residence status in 2011, according to law enforcement. Both men were in custody Thursday night.
Read full story here.
BREAKING NEWS: Arrests of Refugees Contradicts Mayor Gillum’s Statements About Security added by Staff on
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Mayor Gillum is part of the Democratic Party’s effort to increase votes for the Democrats. He has been campaigning for Mrs. Clinton and he is a rising star among the African American political class. His only accomplishments are being a student and a politician.
What a freakin idiot! Wait until his family is assaulted, his wife (if he has one) and children are raped by these animals. A “SAFE HAVEN” for terrorists??
Gillum is a NOBODY. PERIOD. He is not intelligent, not informed, a NOBODY.
I am locked and loaded since my experience with Syrian refugees at my local Publix two weeks ago. Three of these animals ran at me and started throwing boxes at me for no reason. I had a facial injury, but just wanted to get the hell out!!!
I am moving the hell out of this country if Hillary is elected.
And I am a 63 yr old SMART woman.
TRUMP
“Gillum said the “U.S. vetting process for refugees is extremely rigorous, extensive, and comprehensive, and allows us to aid those that pose no threat to our country.””
And Andrew got this information from whom again?
Good luck on that Senate run!
Stanley isn’t national security a real concern? Terrorists slipping through and into our country should be of grave concern. What if, God forbid, your family was victimized? You would enraged! Wouldn’t you?
What really scary about the remarks on this hate mail is with the local challenges we have in Tallahassee. What a missed opportunity to update the viewer on something worth our real concerns. The Mayor didn’t sign or approve these TWO refugees; they wasn’t arrested in Tallahassee or Florida; The Mayor only gave his opinion…. This article is very personal and not objective at all. Even in Florida, the Mayor has a right to have an opinion. We can only deal with one Trump…
An opinion that appears to be categorically wrong, ill informed, and potentially lethal. The mayor gets what he deserves for criticism in this account.
Stanley, you are a Dope. This is a news article and not Hate mail. Gillum is the Mayor and since he stated that Tallahassee welcomes Syrian refugees then he is tying himself to the President and the vetting of the US government. Yes, the Mayor deserves his opinion but when he addressed CNN as the Mayor, then his statements are in his official capacity as Mayor and not his Private Opinion.
We have enough to worry about with US citizens being radicalized to have to worry about refugees from Syria.
Just this morning, a Philadelphia police officer was a victim of a terror attack.
This kid must go. I hope people have woken up and will speak with their votes in 2018!
I would venture a guess that Mr. Gillum knows little, if anything, about the refugee vetting process. And he is telling us how vigorous it is???
He does not! I pray he does not get elected to congress and the people of Tallahassee wake up and smell the deception.
I do not understand how Mr Gillum assumes he has the authority to speak for all the citizens of Tallahassee.
Peggy, Tallahassee elected Gillum Mayor of Tallahassee and he made his statement as Mayor of Tallahassee, so he did and can speak for the citizens of Tallahassee.