Governors Beg Obama to Stop Admitting Syrian Refugees

In the wake of the terrorist attack in Paris last week that left over 100 innocent civilians dead, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and other state governors implore Obama to stop letting Syrian Refugees into the country.

After the deadly attack on Paris last Friday, state governors in Alabama, Texas, Michigan, and Louisiana balk at the idea of accepting Syrian refugees. Just yesterday, ISIS released a video stating that Washington, DC would soon “suffer the same fate” as Paris. At least one of the perpetrators in the France attack had previously claimed refugee status in Greece. What does this mean for the refugees currently flooding into our country? 

“I will not stand complicit to a policy that places the citizens of Alabama in harm’s way,” said Alabama Governor Robert Bentley after stating that the refugee center in Mobile will not be admitting any more Syrian refugees. “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 US Refugee Admissions Program.” 

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is furious with Obama after Syrian refugees were relocated to his home state without notice. Jindal signed an executive order on Monday morning ordering state agencies to do whatever it takes to prevent this relocation: “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.” 

He also sent an angry letter to the President, writing, “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.” 

The letter also asks for details regarding the Terrorist Screening Center. Jindal wants to know more about the process (if there is one) by which the government inspects refugees for possible links to ISIS or terrorist intent. “It would be prudent to pause the process of refugees coming to the United States,” writes Jindal. “Authorities need to investigate what happened in Europe before this problem comes to the Unites States.” 

Texas Governor Greg Abbott also wrote a letter to the president, pleading with Obama to “halt your plans to accept more Syrian refugees in the United States. 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.” 

Michigan’s Governor, Rick Snyder, was a little more kind, saying first that his state is “a welcoming state and we are proud of our rich history of immigration.” However, “our first priority is protecting the safety of our residents.” Snyder has also ordered his sate to stop admitting refugees “until the US Department of Homeland Security completes a full review of security clearances and procedures.” 

Author’s Note: In a chilling video released by ISIS yesterday, scarf-clad individuals of the terrorist organization Wilayat Kirkuk warn that America will be the next target. Could refugees here in the US holding Syrian passports be involved in an imminent attack? I applaud the bravery of these state governors in standing up to the federal government in what they rightly believe to be a threat to national security.