Obama Compares Syrian Refugees to Mayflower Pilgrims, Administration Says States Can't Block Them

abcnews.go.com ^ | Nov 26, 2015, 11:44 AM ET | By JOHN PARKINSON BENJAMIN SIEGEL

[GOPAreDemProgressives]

President Obama used his weekly address to appeal to families counting their blessings on Thanksgiving, reminding Americans that the holiday isn’t only about turkey but a tribute to the deep immigration history that led to the nation’s founding.

In 1620, a small band of pilgrims came to this continent, refugees who had fled persecution and violence in their native land, Obama says. Nearly 400 years later, we remember their part in the American story and we honor the men and women who helped them in their time of need.

The Obama administration said Wednesday that states can't legally block the resettlement of refugees, according to a letter from the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement sent to state officials.

In the letter, the agency said states are bound by the Refugee Act of 1980 to provide "assistance and services to refugees without regard to race, religion, nationality, sex or political opinion, and cannot cut off ORR-funded services to Syrian refugees.

Additionally, the letter says refugees are protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the bases of race and national origin" in all programs that receive federal financial assistance.

More than 30 state governors have indicated they will attempt to block any future refugees from settling in their states.

Obama said he has been “touched by the generosity of the Americans” who have written letters and emails in recent weeks offering to open their homes to refugees fleeing the Islamic State, ISIL.

Nearly four centuries after the Mayflower set sail, the world is still full of pilgrims – men and women who want nothing more than the chance for a safer, better future for themselves and their families,” the president says.

[proust]

So tired of these lazy comparisons.

We are supposed to act like the Indians and greet refugees with open arms.

Look what happened to them.

[Lurker]

Watch us, asshole.

L

[kempster]

He does weekly addresses?

[digger48]

Another day, another outrageous statement/action by the America hating Asshole in Chief.

They’ll be coming at us 2-3 times a day for the next 14 months, I fear.

[darkwing104]

I am unaware that the Pilgrims declared Jihad or forced Sharia law on the natives? Did Rush write about that?

[dp0622]

good point lol!!!!! rofl

[justa-hairyape]

So he thinks the pilgrims who founded America were terrorists. Regardless of what the Emperor thinks, the Indians could and did try to stop them.

[mass55th]

Since Obie refuses to enforce laws and court orders he doesn’t agree with, the States can simply do the same.

[mountainlion]

I suspect millions of people have been turned back. Ellis Island sent thousands back with TB and other diseases. We have diseases that are making a comeback because of lack of health checks. For a while few came into the US they it was opened up in the 60’s again. I wonder who writes the “FACTS” for Obama?

[dp0622]

well, they were certainly the part of a bad trend for the Indians :)

I dont lose a wink of sleep over it but the March of Tears and all.

Let’s just put it this way, they probably regretted the open invite :)

[darkwing104]

Now you are confusing Muslims with Democrats, Easy to do.

[The_Media_never_lie]

This dude who never successfully managed ANYTHING, always feels the need to lecture us on what he knows nothing about.

[dp0622]

Dems, fascists, nazis, communists, dictators...pretty interchangeable.

I had an acquaintance today, who could have possibly been fried, send me a video of “native americans” insulting Columbus with terrible words.

Problem is A. I dont give a @#$ about the “native Americans” and B. I’m Italian.

And she knew this!

Why is that liberals NEVER think someone is going to disagree with them.

She’s fired.

[boycott]

I say we christen every immigrant welcoming station with bacon grease.

[jsanders2001]

He’s assuming the peasants will obey the king

[Pilgrim's Progress]

I’m sure he meant to say that they resemble one of his family reunions.

[Eleutheria5]

Then they ate turkey together after it downed a Russian airplane.

[Eleutheria5]

Actually, they formed an alliance with the pilgrims and together they annihilated the Pequoid Indians.

[Jim Robinson]

Well, the Muslims are coming in to build a safe place to practice their religion, that is for sure. But they intend to conquer our land, convert or kill us all, and dominate the entire world while they are at it. I guess a guy whose parents were Muslim communists and started out in life as a Marxist/fascist/totalitarian Muslim himself can identify with these people, especially as he hates freedom and free market capitalism.