Updated: Wed 4:54 PM, Nov 18, 2015

By: Matt McGovern - Email

LAREDO, TEXAS (KGNS) - Congressman Henry Cuellar is supporting tougher vetting requirements for Syrian refugees in a vote coming up on Thursday.

Cuellar says the House will be voting on a bill involving more vetting requirements for all refugees coming into the US. Cuellar does not oppose Obama's plan to allow entry for 10,000 Syrian refugees in the coming year.

Refugees are granted asylum by US embassies in their countries of origin.

Cuellar says the US is in a good position when it comes to counterterrorism - with better interagency communication since 9/11.

"We cannot overreact, but we have to make sure we acknowledge the threat", says Cuellar. "The US is not Europe - we're in a different situation, but at the same time we have to make sure we protect our people here before anybody comes into the US. And that's why I'll be voting for that bill tomorrow."

Cuellar says 189 refugees from Syria were admitted to the State of Texas last year.

VIDEO: http://www.kgns.tv/home/headlines/cuellar-syria-351480331.html