rockin'robin
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halt, question plan to accept Syrian refugees
DETROIT - Several U.S. governors are temporarily halting efforts to allow Syrian refugees into their states in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Paris, and at least one is asking the White House for more information on plans to allow refugees into the country.
The governors are responding to heightened concerns that terrorists might use the refugees as cover to sneak across borders. One of the attackers in Paris had a Syrian passport, and the Paris prosecutors' office says fingerprints from the attacker match those of someone who passed through Greece in October.
Millions of Syrians have fled to neighboring Middle Eastern countries and Europe, and President Barack Obama's administration has pledged to accept about 10,000 Syrian refugees in the next 12 months. The U.S. State Department said the refugees would be spread across the country. Republican presidential candidates have criticized the plan.
Here's a look at where some states stand:
MASSACHUSETTS
"I would say no as of right now," Gov. Charlie Baker said, when asked about allowing more Syrian refugees into Massachusetts.
He indicated he wanted to know more about the federal government vets refugees. "The safety and security of the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is my highest priority, so I would set the bar very high on this."
MISSISSIPPI
Gov. Phil Bryant says that he is currently working with state officials to determined the status of any Syrian refugees that are slated to be brought to the state and will do everything "humanly possible" to stop any plans.
"The policy of bringing these individuals into the country is not only misguided, it is extremely dangerous," he wrote.
INDIANA
In a three-sentence statement, Gov. Mike Pence said he would direct all state agencies to suspend the resettlement of additional Syrian refugees.
“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. “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.”
TEXAS
Gov. Greg Abbott sent a public letter to President Obama saying his state would not be accepting any Syrian refugees.
Texas cannot participate in any program that will result in Syrian refugees - any one of whom could be connected to terrorism - being resettled in Texas," the letter reads.
"The threat posed to Texas by ISIS is real," the letter reads. "ISIS claimed credit last May when two terrorist gunmen launched an attack in Garland, Texas. Less than two weeks later, the FBI arrested an Iraqi-born man in North Texas and charged him with lying to federal agents about traveling to Syria to fight with ISIS."
MICHIGAN
In Michigan, which has a large Arab-American population, Gov. Rick Snyder had bucked many fellow Republican leaders by welcoming refugees. But he said Sunday that the state is postponing efforts to accept refugees until federal officials fully review security procedures and clearances. Snyder said that while he is proud of the state's history of immigration, its "first priority is protecting the safety of our residents."
ALABAMA
Fellow Republican Gov. Robert Bentley announced Sunday that he would refuse Syrian refugees relocating to the state, saying: "I will not stand complicit to a policy that places the citizens of Alabama in harm's way." Bentley's news release said the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency was diligently working with federal officials to monitor any possible threats. There has been no credible intelligence of terror threats in Alabama so far, according to the governor's office.
LOUISIANA
Gov. Bobby Jindal — a GOP presidential contender — said he wants more information from the White House "in hopes that the night of horror in Paris is not duplicated here." Jindal sent a letter to the White House on Saturday, demanding to know how many Syrian refugees have been resettled in his state. He also wants to know the extent of background screening before Syrians entered the U.S. United States as well as what monitoring would be done once the refugees make it to Louisiana.
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/n...tion-plan-to-accept-syrian-refugees_84188039_
DETROIT - Several U.S. governors are temporarily halting efforts to allow Syrian refugees into their states in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Paris, and at least one is asking the White House for more information on plans to allow refugees into the country.
The governors are responding to heightened concerns that terrorists might use the refugees as cover to sneak across borders. One of the attackers in Paris had a Syrian passport, and the Paris prosecutors' office says fingerprints from the attacker match those of someone who passed through Greece in October.
Millions of Syrians have fled to neighboring Middle Eastern countries and Europe, and President Barack Obama's administration has pledged to accept about 10,000 Syrian refugees in the next 12 months. The U.S. State Department said the refugees would be spread across the country. Republican presidential candidates have criticized the plan.
Here's a look at where some states stand:
MASSACHUSETTS
"I would say no as of right now," Gov. Charlie Baker said, when asked about allowing more Syrian refugees into Massachusetts.
He indicated he wanted to know more about the federal government vets refugees. "The safety and security of the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is my highest priority, so I would set the bar very high on this."
MISSISSIPPI
Gov. Phil Bryant says that he is currently working with state officials to determined the status of any Syrian refugees that are slated to be brought to the state and will do everything "humanly possible" to stop any plans.
"The policy of bringing these individuals into the country is not only misguided, it is extremely dangerous," he wrote.
INDIANA
In a three-sentence statement, Gov. Mike Pence said he would direct all state agencies to suspend the resettlement of additional Syrian refugees.
“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. “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.”
TEXAS
Gov. Greg Abbott sent a public letter to President Obama saying his state would not be accepting any Syrian refugees.
Texas cannot participate in any program that will result in Syrian refugees - any one of whom could be connected to terrorism - being resettled in Texas," the letter reads.
"The threat posed to Texas by ISIS is real," the letter reads. "ISIS claimed credit last May when two terrorist gunmen launched an attack in Garland, Texas. Less than two weeks later, the FBI arrested an Iraqi-born man in North Texas and charged him with lying to federal agents about traveling to Syria to fight with ISIS."
MICHIGAN
In Michigan, which has a large Arab-American population, Gov. Rick Snyder had bucked many fellow Republican leaders by welcoming refugees. But he said Sunday that the state is postponing efforts to accept refugees until federal officials fully review security procedures and clearances. Snyder said that while he is proud of the state's history of immigration, its "first priority is protecting the safety of our residents."
ALABAMA
Fellow Republican Gov. Robert Bentley announced Sunday that he would refuse Syrian refugees relocating to the state, saying: "I will not stand complicit to a policy that places the citizens of Alabama in harm's way." Bentley's news release said the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency was diligently working with federal officials to monitor any possible threats. There has been no credible intelligence of terror threats in Alabama so far, according to the governor's office.
LOUISIANA
Gov. Bobby Jindal — a GOP presidential contender — said he wants more information from the White House "in hopes that the night of horror in Paris is not duplicated here." Jindal sent a letter to the White House on Saturday, demanding to know how many Syrian refugees have been resettled in his state. He also wants to know the extent of background screening before Syrians entered the U.S. United States as well as what monitoring would be done once the refugees make it to Louisiana.
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/n...tion-plan-to-accept-syrian-refugees_84188039_
