Johnson Supports Additional Syrian Refugees In US

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson says the United States should accept refugees from Syria, but he says he’s concerned about the risk of terrorism.

The Wisconsin Republican senator told reporters Friday that those fleeing Syria should be allowed in the U.S., with preference given to those who have family here. Johnson also said he wants measures to be taken to make sure members of the so-called Islamic State group don’t try to pose as refugees.

“This is a humanitarian crisis. We need to respond to it,” Johnson said. “But the best way to respond to it is address the root cause of the problem, which is the chaos, the lack of a civil society in Syria.”

President Barack Obama has pledged to take in at least 10,000 refugees fleeing war-torn Syria this year. He has also called for raising the total yearly refugee admissions from 70,000 to 85,000.

When asked what Obama should do in response to Russia’s airstrikes in Syria, Johnson said the U.S. needs to “show leadership.”