Foxx Cosponsors Bill to Keep Terrorist Detainees Out of NC

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Virginia Foxx today cosponsored the Keep Terrorists out of America Act (H.R. 2294), a bill that gives governors and state legislatures the right to refuse the transfer of dangerous terrorists from the Guantanamo Bay prison to facilities in the U.S.

“Today Guantanamo Bay holds scores of the world’s most dangerous terrorists and President Obama has made it clear that he plans to close it down within the next nine months,” Foxx said. “Unfortunately it is not clear where the terrorists held at Guantanamo will be placed. This bill ensures that communities in North Carolina are not forced against their will to house terrorists who are bent on destroying our way of life.”

On January 22, 2009, President Obama signed an executive order to close the Guantanamo Bay prison within a year. Since this decision was made, it has not become clear where the hundreds of inmates, including many of those who helped plan and facilitate the 9/11 attacks, will be placed.

The Keep Terrorists out of America Act prohibits the Administration from transferring or releasing any terrorist detainees at Guantanamo Bay to any state without the approval of the state’s governor and legislature. It also requires the President to meet strict certification standards before terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay prison are moved to U.S. soil.

“North Carolinians need to know the plan behind the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison,” Foxx said. “Important questions must be answered. Will these terrorists be transferred to North Carolina or anywhere else in the United States? Will they be released back onto the battlefield? North Carolinians deserve answers.”

Note: H.R. 2294 prohibits the President from transferring or releasing a terrorist detainee into the United States unless he provides notification and certification to Congress regarding:

 The name of the detainee and transfer/release location in the United States.
 The release/transfer would not negatively impact continued prosecution of the detainee.
 The release/transfer would not negatively impact continued detention of the detainee.
 The ability of federal judges to release detainees into the United States.