Posted on 11/16/2015 9:47:39 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
"Slamming the door in their faces would be a betrayal of our values," [Obama] said.
Six Republican governors have announced that Syrian refugees won't be allowed to resettle in their states in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks in Paris.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley issued statements Sunday saying that they wanted to prioritize the safety of the residents in their states. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott; Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, a GOP presidential candidate; Arkansas Gov. Gov. Asa Hutchinson; and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence joined them on Monday.
"Michigan is a welcoming state and we are proud of our rich history of immigration," Snyder said, according to the Detroit Free Press. "But our first priority is protecting the safety of our residents."
The governor had previously said he was working with the Obama administration on plans to resettle Syrian refugees, with at least 200 already relocated by one agency, according to the newspaper.
Snyder said his state wouldn't allow for any Syrian refugees until the Department of Homeland Security reviewed its procedures for accepting migrants, according to the Free Press.
Alabama currently has a single refugee processing center, in Mobile, approved by the State Department, but it hasn't relocated any Syrian refugees, according to Bentley's office.
“The acts of terror committed over the weekend are a tragic reminder to the world that evil exists and takes the form of terrorists who seek to destroy the basic freedoms we will always fight to preserve," Bentley said in his statement.
"I will not place Alabamians at even the slightest, possible risk of an attack on our people," he added.
"The threat posed to Texas by ISIS is very real," Abbott wrote in a letter Monday urging President Obama to halt his plans, pointing to a foiled ISIS-inspired plot in Garland, Texas, in May, among other incidents.
"A Syrian 'refugee' appears to have been part of the Paris terror attack. American humanitarian compassion could be exploited to expose Americans to similar deadly danger," Abbott wrote.
"All departments, budget units, agencies, offices, entities, and officers of the executive branch of the State of Louisiana are authorized and directed to utilize all lawful means to prevent the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the State of Louisiana while this Order is in effect," Jindal wrote in an executive order issued Monday.
"The Louisiana State Police, upon receiving information of a Syrian refugee already relocated within the State of Louisiana, are authorized and directed to utilize all lawful means to monitor and avert threats within the State of Louisiana," he added.
"As Governor I will oppose Syrian refugees being relocated to Arkansas," Hutchinson tweeted.
"Indiana has a long tradition of opening our arms and homes to refugees from around the world but, as governor, my first responsibility is to ensure the safety and security of all Hoosiers," Pence wrote in a statement. "Unless and until the state of Indiana receives assurances that proper security measures are in place, this policy will remain in full force and effect."
A top aide to Obama said Sunday that the Obama administration still plans to allow 10,000 Syrian refugees into the U.S. over the next year despite the Paris attacks.
"We had very robust vetting procedures for those refugees," White House Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said on Fox News.
"There are women and children, orphans of this war, and I think we need to do our part along with our allies to provide them a safe haven," Rhodes added.
The plan to allow the Syrian refugees into the U.S. has faced fresh criticism after the attack that left 129 dead and hundreds more injured. At least one suspect reportedly slipped into France among asylum seekers.
Obama maintained during remarks earlier Monday at the G-20 meeting in Turkey that the U.S. would continue to accept the refugees, including Syrians, only after "rigorous" security screenings.
"Slamming the door in their faces would be a betrayal of our values," he said.
Wow, so what I heard the other day IS true. Of course those Syrian refugees were from 2012, or 13 or 14. They didn't just come over from Syria yesterday. For whatever that's worth, right?
Well, isn't Tucson a Dem-loving area? More 'RAT votes for Tucson I guess.
I know McCain can be a real POS, but I'm actually shocked he doesn't have a problem with the refugees in AZ, especially if they're Muslims.
Our 'RAT Connecticut Govornor - aka Comrade Dannel Malloy - yesterday took in 3 Syrian refugees who were diverted from Indiana (I have to assume they are Muslim, I don't know). The good Gov. Mike Pence (R-IL) *smartly* didn't want 'em in his state. These 3 refugees have been waiting to be placed since 2012.
Malloy was all over the airwaves yesterday, proudly crowing about how PROUD he was to take in the refugees, and how he can't wait to 'welcome' many more to our already deep-in-debt state.
OK, they'll be settled in CT, but what's to keep them here? I assume once they're here, they can travel to any other state they choose.
You're so right... We are ALL screwed!!
And don’t forget that we have a long border here with me-he-co. After they’ve shaved off their beards they can blend in with the illegals as they cross the border.
Tucson is a dem haven. Of course, the Phoenix area has them, too. You should see the letters to the editor in The Republic. And McCain IS a real POS.
There’s not one thing that will stop these invaders from coming from Utah (can you believe it? Utah!?) to AZ...or anywhere else.
Governor Sandoval has decided he doesn’t have the authority to stop refugees from coming to Nevada. Attorney General Laxalt is really strong though and seems fearless. Maybe he will weigh in on the side of the public.
Governor Brian Sandoval has received information from state agencies regarding the status of all refugees in Nevada.
Also, today it was announced that:
• Although refugee resettlement and relocation policies are enacted by the federal government, state agencies have confirmed there are about 2,400 persons from more than two dozen countries currently in the state.
• The Governor requested and received a briefing from the State Refugee Coordinator from Catholic Charities, the agency responsible for managing refugee relocation in partnership with the federal government within the state of Nevada.
• The Governor also participated in a call with the White House and other Governors yesterday to discuss the security procedures in place for refugee resettlement. Governor Sandoval came away feeling that there is an increased need for coordination, consultation and communication between the federal government and the states. While the process for security clearance appears to have been sufficient for many years, circumstances in Syria today are different, and the world situation has clearly changed. For these reasons, the Governor believes it is prudent for the federal government to conduct a review in light of these changed circumstances. Federal officials indicated that regular reviews are a part of their standing operating procedure.
• A preliminary review of state and federal law indicates that the Governor does not have the authority to halt refugee placement. However, recognizing public concern, he asked the President to pause placement of Syrian refugees until a thorough review by the White House of the security background check process can occur.
• The Governor has also requested an opinion from Attorney General Laxalt that details the Governor’s authority regarding refugee relocation and resettlement processes and the implications of any actions the state might take.
• In light of recent events, the Governor is moving up the date of the next Homeland Security Commission meeting to December 2nd. He is also preparing an Executive Order regarding the Nevada Threat Analysis Center and the coordination of security information at the state level.
From the Office of Governor Brian Sandoval
http://www.ktvn.com/story/30553878/governor-sandoval-briefed-on-refugee-program-requests-attorney-general-opinion
Exactly! There must be a mouse in his pocket, or somewhere else. Stop including me, bathhouse!
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