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.
Called Sandoval!
Call your Assembly person and State Senator too.
I called all of them today, as well as Heller’s office.
I wish I was American. Here in British Columbia our great leader plans to put them in small communities. Death by liberalism.
no SC?
Great Letter. I did mine to Gov.Scott early this AM and so glad he made the right move.
Add Nebraska
As of this afternoon, Governor Haslam of Tennessee has weighed in:
Haslam Releases Statement on Paris Attacks, Refugee Placement
Monday, November 16, 2015 | 3:22pm
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today released the following statement regarding the terrorist attacks in Paris and the placement of Syrian refugees: “As we mourn the loss of innocent life from Friday’s horrific and cowardly attacks in Paris, these terrible events have once again shown us that the threat of Islamic terrorism knows no boundaries and recognizes no borders. We as a state must do everything we can to provide Tennesseans the safe environment to live, work and raise a family that so many across the world seek. Since Friday the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security has been in contact with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and this administration has actively shared information with our local public safety partners across Tennessee. We are currently working to get specifics from the U.S. Department of State on the status of any Syrian refugees currently slated to come to Tennessee. While screening, acceptance and placement is legally under the authority of the federal government, they have said in the past they would be open to cooperating with receiving states. Today I’m asking the federal government to suspend placements in Tennessee until states can become more of a partner in the vetting process.â€
- See more at: http://tennessee.gov/governor#sthash.eMswe47D.dpuf
CNN Dana Bash announced 22, so far.
Please add Georgia to that list. thank you.
I loved in that movie the mud-spiking of the Mexican cannon,
the acquisition of them Mexican cattle and the general middle
finger to Santa Anna.
Plus them dudes were just a bunch of regular folks who maybe
drank a bit but came up with awesome solutions to a problem
beyond resolution.
Besides.. John Wayne.
But fact is .. we still here.
Deal has said NO Syrians.
Called Rino Sandavals office here in NV and they do not even answer the phone.
I left them a great message.
Lets tell him how many we want. I'll call if u do. See if I can't get get a few others to speak up too. We can hope.
I won’t even try Amodei, he’s a GOPe of the highest order.
Thank you Governor Deal!
So what happened to Angela Merkel? Hope that evil birch slips in the tub.
I’m from upstate. May call my assembly and senate member as well. Both GOP. Lol
Call state AG Lexalt’s office. Call your state senator & assembly person.
Sandoval’s line may be swamped from everyone calling.
I wish all in Las Vegas safety. They have two refugee centers there.
Why limit it to Syrians?
All Muslims should not be allowed here, period.
Amodei is also a marshmallow that’s probably freaking the hell out because his district is calling him all of a sudden.
I’m starting to think all our local representatives check out before 4 pm. :P
Will they have the guts to enforce their refusal, even unto a ruling from federal courts, including the Supremes?
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