STORY SUMMARY

Democratic and Republican U.S. senators called Tuesday for the country to take in more of the millions of people forced from their homes during Syria’s nearly three-year civil war.

Only 31 Syrian refugees – out of an estimated 2.3 million – were allowed into the United States in the fiscal year that ended in October.

135,000 Syrians have applied for asylum in the United States.

Washington has provided $1.3 billion in humanitarian assistance to aid Syrian refugees.

Durbin, Cruz and other senators said Washington should remain zealous about screening would-be immigrants to make sure that no potential terrorists were allowed into the United States as part of any program for Syrians.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Jan-09/243524-us-senators-urge-admission-of-refugees.ashx#ixzz2rOjFMUE7
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)