Republican presidential candidate [crscore]Ted Cruz[/crscore] says the attacks in Brussels are the result of “a failed immigration policy in Europe” and called on the United States to review its policies to “prevent radical Islamic terrorists from coming to America.”
“The attack in Brussels is in many ways the fruit of a failed immigration policy in Europe that has allowed a massive influx of radical Islamic terrorists into Europe,” Cruz told reporters during a press availability in Washington. “Europe is in the process of allowing policies to fundamentally threaten the safety and security of its citizens. That is a mistake.”
Asked about the United States’ Visa Waiver Program — which doesn’t require visas for visitors from 38 countries for stays of less than 90 days, Cruz said: “There’s no doubt we need serious scrutiny to the Visa Waiver Program.”
Belgium is among the countries part of the program, and NBC News noted Tuesday that the “tiny” country “with a population of just 11 million” has “the highest number per capita of militants fighting in Syria and Iraq.”
“The Visa Waiver Program was designed for a different era when those from Europe were not perceived to be threats,” Cruz said. “When Europe’s immigration policies allow radical Islamic terrorists to make Europe their home, we absolutely need to revisit our immigration policies across the board to prevent radical Islamic terrorists from coming to America.”
Terrorists detonated explosives at both the airport and on a metro train in Brussels during the morning rush hour on Tuesday.