Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-32) is picking another fight with Gov. Chris Christie (R), this time going at the Republican presidential candidate for his stance on not allowing any Syrian refugees into the U.S. – calling the policy a case of “Xenophobia.”Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“No matter our political beliefs, no matter our principles, it’s imperative we never forget the idea that whatever we do for the least among us, we do for ourselves. Gov. Christie has forgotten this most American of ideals. What Gov. Christie is saying goes against everything America is about,” Prieto said in a statement.
Christie stated yesterday that the United States should not admit any refugees from the Syrian civil war, not even “orphans under age 5,” per NJ Advance Media.
The governor argued that since the Barack Obama administration can’t be trusted “to effectively vet the people who are supposed to be coming in in order to protect the safety and security of the American people,” therefore we aren’t in a position to allow Syrian refugees into the country.
“I know the compassion this country showed when we fled Cuba from political persecution. America welcomed us and gave my family a chance for freedom and a new life. That is why this country is the greatest and I am proud to call it my home,” explained Prieto, who migrated from Cuba to the United States at age 10.
“We absolutely must have a thorough screening and vetting process for all refugees, but we also must be better than the governor’s xenophobia. We especially shouldn’t be targeting orphaned preschoolers, toddlers and babies, lest we see more drowned bodies washing ashore. Orphaned children pose no threat to our nation.”