These Governors Refuse to Accept Syrian Refugees Into Their States

By John Walker

November 16, 2015 "Information Clearing House" -   In the wake of the Paris attacks, some United States governors are refusing to cooperate with President Barack Obama’s response to the ongoing international refugee crisis.

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder said that his state will not accept any more Syrian refugees, The New York Times reports. “Michigan is a welcoming state and we are proud of our rich history of immigration,” Gov. Snyder said in a statement. “But our first priority is protecting the safety of our residents.”

Some Syrian refugees have already settled in the state, the Times notes.

The Detroit Free Press calls the announcement a “step backward” for the governor, who said that settling Syrian refugees was “part of being a good Michigander” back in September.

Governor Robert J. Bentley of Alabama made a similar announcement over the weekend, The Associated Press reports.

“After full consideration of this weekend’s attacks of terror on innocent citizens in Paris, I will oppose any attempt to relocate Syrian refugees to Alabama through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program,” Gov. Bentley said in a statement. “As your Governor, I will not stand complicit to a policy that places the citizens of Alabama in harm’s way.”

Zero Syrian refugees have been settled in Alabama at present, according to The AP.

White House Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes confirmed Sunday that the U.S. still plans to accept approximately 10,000 Syrian refugees over the next year. One of the men who participated in the coordinated attacks in Paris Friday night—which left 129 people dead and hundreds wounded—allegedly entered France with Syrian refugees holding an emergency passport.

Governor Abbott To Refuse Syrian Refugees Relocating To Texas

Governor Greg Abbott today sent a letter to President Barack Obama informing him that the State of Texas will not accept any refugees from Syria in the wake of the deadly terrorist attack in Paris. Furthermore, Governor Abbott implored President Obama to halt his plans to accept more Syrian refugees in the United States entirely, as the federal government does not have the background information necessary to effectively conduct proper security checks on Syrian nationals.

"Given the tragic attacks in Paris and the threats we have already seen, 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," Governor Abbott said in the letter. "Effective today, I am directing the Texas Health & Human Services Commission's Refugee Resettlement Program to not participate in the resettlement of any Syrian refugees in the State of Texas. And I urge you, as President, to halt your plans to allow Syrians to be resettled anywhere in the United States."

"Neither you nor any federal official can guarantee that Syrian refugees will not be part of any terroristic activity," Governor Abbott continued. "As such, opening our door to them irresponsibly exposes our fellow Americans to unacceptable peril."

To view Governor Abbott's full letter to President Obama, click here.

See also -

Seven U.S. states shut doors to Syrian refugees after Paris attacks: Five U.S. governors on Monday said they would not allow Syrian refugees to be settled in their states, joining Alabama and Michigan and contending it is too dangerous to let in people from that war-torn country following Friday’s deadly Paris attacks.