Syrian Refugees in America: Several US States Reject Syrian Refugees in Light of Paris Attacks
Since the disastrous events of the Paris attacks, several U.S. governors have refused to allow Syrian refugees into their states.
Concern over Syrian refugees was raised after evidence emerged that one of the Paris attackers had a Syrian passport. The passport was found close to the body of the attacker, who detonated a suicide belt outside a soccer stadium and is believed to have been a member of the Islamic State militant group. This finding raised concerns that jihadists may try to enter the U.S. under the false refugee status.
Alabama and Michigan recently denied entry to all such refugees, prompting other governors, mostly Republican along with one Democrat, across the country to follow suit.
Michigan - 'Safty Is Our Priority'
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder opposed accepting refugees into his state.
"Michigan is a welcoming state and we are proud of our rich history of immigration," Snyder said in a statement on Twitter. "But our first priority is protecting the safety of our residents."
Michigan's first priority is protecting the safety of our residents --> https://t.co/eq9FSqNOT0 pic.twitter.com/yDGa2WZWu4
— Governor Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) November 16, 2015
Alabama - 'We Refuse Syrian Refugees'
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, also a Republican, expressed his concern for the safety of the American people. He announced his refusal to allow refugees into his state on Twitter as well. "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," he said in a statement. "I will not place Alabamians at even the slightest, possible risk of an attack on our people."
I will not stand complicit to a policy that places the citizens of Alabama in harm’s way. We refuse Syrian refugees. https://t.co/HTpflJUiPc — Gov. Robert Bentley (@GovernorBentley) November 16, 2015
Texas - 'Security Comes First'
Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott also announced his opposition in letting in Syrian refugees in wake of the Paris attacks on Twitter.
BREAKING: Texas will not accept any Syrian refugees & I demand the U.S. act similarly. Security comes first. https://t.co/uE34eluXYd — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 16, 2015
Arkansas - 'How Sad To Turn Away Children'
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson posted a statement regarding his stance on the issue, agreeing with most of the other Republicans, maintaining that allowing Syrian refugees into the United States is a bad idea.
@AsaHutchinson How sad to turn away children who need a welcoming safe place. — Mary Beth Schneider (@marybschneider) November 16, 2015
Louisiana - 'Pause Process of Refugees Coming To The US'
In a letter to Obama, which he posted on Twitter, Louisiana governor and Republican presidential candidate Bobby Jindal expressed his opinion on the issue of letting in Syrian refugees.
My letter to @POTUS: In light of Paris terrorist attacks, time to pause process of refugees coming to the US pic.twitter.com/v2K7wuigX0 — Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) November 14, 2015
North Carolina - 'Cease Sending Refugees To Our State'
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory is also in agreement of refusing Syrian refugees and released a tweet expressing his concern over the matter.
My 1st priority is to protect the people of NC. That is why I am requesting federal gov’t cease sending Syrian refugees to our state #ncpol — Pat McCrory (@PatMcCroryNC) November 16, 2015
Wisconsin - 'Need For Real Border Security'
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker posted on Twitter about his stance on the Syrian refugee crisis and declared how he feels ISIS appears to be a severe threat to national security.
The Paris attacks are a wake up call as to the real threat from ISIS and the need for real border security.
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) November 16, 2015
New Hampshire - 'Safety And Security Is The First Responsibility Of Government'
New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan was the only Democrat to join the call for a ban on refugees into the U.S. While she may have gone against her party's general consensus on the issue, she provided a strong argument for why she thinks it's crucial to find out more about the Paris attackers before letting in refugees.
"Protecting the safety and security of our people is the first responsibility of government," spokesperson William Hinkle said. "And the Governor has always made clear that we must ensure robust refugee screening to protect American citizens, and believes that we must know more of the facts about those who carried out the Paris terrorist attacks and have strong assurances of safety from our intelligence officials before we admit refugees from Syria into the United States."
Other States Refusing to Accept Refugees
Some of the other states refusing Syrian refugees include Indiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Georgia, Idaho, Maine, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas.
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