Carson asks Congress to block Syrian refugees coming to U.S.

Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson is calling on Congress to terminate all public funding used to resettle Syrian refugees and migrants in the U.S., citing the terrorist attacks in France.

Carson said Monday he wants that funding ended immediately, stopping all Syrian refugees from entering the U.S.

"There is currently no ability to vet these people," Carson said told reporters in Henderson, adding that bringing them to the U.S. puts the American people at risk.

In a letter Carson sent Monday to House Speaker Paul Ryan, Carson expressed concerns that President Barack Obama has said the U.S. would accept 45,000 more Syrian refugees in 2016-2017.

As for the refugees overseas, Carson said the U.S. should continue to provide humanitarian aid to the camps, including food, shelter and a no-fly zone over camps.

Carson said ISIS needs to be taken seriously, with the Pentagon provided the resources it needs.

"You cannot fight a politically correct war," Carson said. "There will be collateral damage."

He said that means people unaffiliated with terrorists may be impacted if supply lines are cut off. He added that civilian casualties can't always be avoided.

Asked what he would do if president with the Syrian refugees already here, Carson said, "I would watch them very carefully, that's for sure."

Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, had a rally Sunday in Henderson.

Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904. Follow @BenBotkin1 on Twitter.