Watch: Senate Debates Refugees Bill

Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — The South Carolina senate is debating a bill that would create a stricter vetting process for refugees who come to South Carolina through the federal government’s resettlement program.

Senator Kevin Bryant says the bill will require refugees placed in the palmetto state to register with the Department of Social Services who will then coordinate with SLED to do additional screening. Senator Bryant says the Federal Government currently does not have a strong process for that.

“SLED has told us the federal government is involving SLED very little information,” said Senator Bryant.

In addition, the bill requires no state funding be used to assist refugees in the resettlement program. Senator Bryant says the bill affects refugees from countries the federal government deems “terrorist friendly,’ including; Syria, Sudan, and Iran.  However, other senators are not backing the bill.

“These are people we should be helping,” said Senator Marlon Kimpson.

Senator Kevin Johnson argues that through the resettlement program the refugees do go through a thorough vetting process and adds not all refugees are a threat and should be welcomed in South Carolina.

“You can’t paint everybody with the same brush,” said Senator Johnson. “All of us fear terrorism and what the terrorists are trying to do but we have people who are actually trying to flee terrorism and not come over here and cause acts of terror.”

The senate will continue their debate on Thursday.