The world met 3-year-old Aylan Kurdi when his body washed up on a beach in Turkey in September.
The photos of the Syrian boy prompted many in the United States to want to do more for refugees fleeing war-torn Syria. Two months later, some opinions have shifted after the attacks by militants in Paris.
Here’s what some political figures said about refugees after Aylan drowned and what they’re saying now.
Sen. Lindsey Graham
THEN: “I would like to think America’s a special place,” the GOP presidential candidate and South Carolina senator told Fox News. “Go read what’s on the Statue of Liberty.”
NOW: “The one thing I’ve learned from Paris is that we need to have a timeout on bringing refugees into this country until we have a system that we think will work,” he told Fox News Radio.
Gov. Chris Christie
THEN: “I’d sit down with our allies and figure out how we can help, because America is a compassionate country,” the New Jersey governor and GOP presidential candidate said.
NOW: “But you know, they have no family here. How are we going to care for these folks?” he told a conservative radio host.
Hillary Rodham Clinton
THEN: The Democratic presidential candidate and former secretary of state called for a “concerted global effort” to assist refugees.
NOW: “Turning away orphans, applying a religious test, discriminating against Muslims, slamming the door on every Syrian refugee, that is just not who we are. We are better than that.”
Jeb Bush
THEN: The Republican presidential candidate and former Florida governor said Syrian refugees aren’t fleeing their homes to simply seek a better life — they’re fleeing because if they don’t, they will die.
“It’s that simple. And we have to play a role in providing support.”
NOW: He said the U.S. should give preference to Christians fleeing Syria, but added that he’s open to letting properly vetted Muslim Syrians into the country, as well.
Martin O’Malley
THEN: “We must do more to support Syrian refugees — and we must certainly welcome more than the proposed 5,000 to 8,000 refugees next year,” the Democratic presidential candidate and former Maryland governor said.
NOW: The current vetting process for refugees is elaborate, and no group is more thoroughly vetted than Syrian refugees, he told CBSN.
