Despite President Barack Obama telling U.S. states to accept refugees fleeing from the Islamic State militant groups, more U.S. governors are refusing to welcome them.

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has been opposing the Obama administration and his local sheriffs on immigration and border security, announced he sent Obama a letter to inform that the Lone Star State will not accept Syrian refugees following the Paris terrorist attacks. He also called for the president to stop plans to accept Syrian refugees anywhere in the U.S.

"The threat posed to Texas by ISIS is very real. 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," wrote Abbott.

He later wrote, "Given the tragic attack in Paris and the threats we have already seen in Texas, coupled with the FBI director's acknowledgment that we do not have the information necessary to effectively vet Syrian nationals, 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."

Abbott announced he directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's Refugee Resettlement Program to not participate in resettling any Syrian refugees in his state.

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

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who is also seeking the Republican Party's presidential nomination, announced his executive order to prevent Syrian refugees in his state. The executive order, published on Monday, acknowledged the Paris attacks and improper screening and follow-up monitoring could result in threats to Louisiana residents and its property.

Last Saturday, Jindal also penned a letter to Obama. He wrote, "Last week, the city of New Orleans began receiving its first wave of Syrian refugees. As with former immigration crises and federal relocation policy, Louisiana has been kept in the dark about those seeking refuge in the state. It is irresponsible and severely disconcerting to place individuals, who may have ties to ISIS, in a state without the state's knowledge or involvement."

Fellow Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas also announced his opposition to resettlement Syrian refugees in his state. He said Europe, Asia and Africa are "logically" the best places for resettlement or for temporary asylum." Hutchinson said the U.S. becoming a permanent place for refugees' relocation is not the appropriate strategy and may pose a risk to Arkansans.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder also said his state is a "welcoming state" that is proud of is immigration history, but safety is first priority. Snyder said the attacks in Paris and Beirut, Lebanon, led to his decision to hold efforts to accept refugees until the U.S. Department of Homeland Security completes a review of security clearances and procedures.

Finally, Republican Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley also announced his state will refuse Syrian refugees following "full consideration" of the Paris attacks.

"As your Governor, I will not stand complicit to a policy that places the citizens of Alabama in harm's way," said Bentley.

Since Monday afternoon, more states have decided to not accept Syrian refugees, including Massachuetts, Wisconsin, Indiana, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, Illinois, Ohio and Florida.

The governors' decisions come as Obama called for states and people to welcome the refugees. Speaking from the G-20 summit in Antalya, Turkey, Obama said on Monday, "The people who are fleeing Syria are the most harmed by terrorism; they are the most vulnerable as a consequence of civil war and strife. ... We do not close our hearts to these victims of such violence and somehow start equating the issue of refugees with the issue of terrorism."

__

For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

Related