Responding to your message Congressman Kevin Cramer Dear Damon, Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding the placement of immigrant refugees in North Dakota. The admission of refugees to the United States and their resettlement are authorized by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. The annual number of refugees which can be admitted into the United States, known as the refugee ceiling, is determined by the President at the beginning of every fiscal year (FY). On September 30, 2014, President Obama signed a Presidential Determination which set the refugee ceiling at 70,000 for FY 2015. Since President Obama took office, the federal government has admitted an average of 67,000 refugees into the United States annually, with approximately 500 individuals being placed in North Dakota per year. Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of North Dakota has contracted with the federal government to administer the refugee program in our state. So far in FY 2015, LSS has resettled 419 refugees from nine different countries, with most of these individuals being placed in Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks. I believe the refugee program serves a moral purpose of providing shelter to individuals who are subject to persecution and violence abroad. However, in light of recent unrest around the world and the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL), the federal government must implement the strongest security and verification measures available to ensure we are not admitting individuals who could pose a danger to our national security. We also have to consider the ramifications of the program on local school districts, local communities, law enforcement, and neighborhoods. In order to provide much needed Congressional oversight over the program, I am a cosponsor of H.R. 3573 which would require Congress to approve the President's yearly refugee quota before any refugees can be admitted into the United States. The bill also includes enhanced security measures and requires the Government Accountability Office to submit a report to Congress within one year on the adequacy and effectiveness of the security screening process. Further, I believe it is the responsibility of the Administration, in conjunction with organizations such as LSS, to be communicative and transparent with the public as to how many refugees are being admitted into the U.S., where they are being placed, and how many are projected to arrive in the future. Once these individuals arrive in the U.S., it is important they assimilate into our culture so they can thrive and provide meaningful contributions to our state and nation. Sincerely, Kevin Cramer Member of Congress Please do not reply to this email. The mailbox is unattended.