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.
Well, Hawaii doesn’t even want dogs here ... it was a gigantic battle to get our two dogs in but they will probably accept muslim refugees.
There’s an active Republican party here but minority.
Add Georgia to the list!
Got it!
GEORGIA!
Pissed we weren't first.
Tennessee, you’re surrounded. Come out and nobody gets hurt. You too Kentucky.
It figures...my RINO liberal puke of a governor, Bill Haslam, isn’t interested in protecting the citizens of TN. He cares more about the terrorist.
Our governor in TN is a RINO through and through. He probably prays to Obama.
We used to own a state known as Iraq, air bases, hospitals, intelligence, a complete infrastructure, COST US BLOOD AND TREASURE and by God we earned it. It would have been a perfect location for Syrian refugees. Instead the Chief MFer of the United States gave it to ISIS. Now he wants to bring them here so we can fight the war on our shores. He is the best planned, most devastating terrorist attack to ever strike American soil.
I count the original 16 plus NC and GA. 18 the right count?
Okay, I’ve got my flame proof underwear, securely belted on.
Many of my friends want their respective states to stop the flow of middle eastern refugees from entering their state. This Christmas, I hope they all can at least take the time to pray for the plight of the refugees, while they set up their annual front yard or church nativity scene.
Spot On!
THAT'S what I was looking for.
Thank you.
I did send an e-mail to mark green(TN Sen.), his response was about the letter and he is leading the charge, cross your fingers and hope he and others can get us on that list
I understand that the letter sent to Haslam has weasel language about “until DHS can complete a review” or some such nonsense.
TN Gov. Haslam is finally “on board” and asked Obama to “suspend” refugees coming to TN.
BUT, being a typical RINO, stated “until the states can become part of the vetting process”...the idiot just doesn’t ‘get it’.
It took a long time for them to answer the phone.
CAluvdubya ~ So will we see Sandoval follow suit or dance to Harry Reid's tune?
Gov Sandoval's office answered fairly quickly...
Yep, he’s a weasel.
Just saw it. Ask nothing. TELL! Haslam, you puss.
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