(WRIC/KXAN) — Two months ago, President Obama said the U.S. would take in at least 10,000 Syrian refugees. However, since the attacks in Paris, the governors of Texas, Alabama, Indiana and Michigan are now saying they will not allow refugees in their states.
Governor Greg Abbott said in a letter to President Obama that Texas will not take in any new Syrian refugees. Currently, Texas has more Syrian refugees than any other state in the country.
“Effective today, I am directing the Texas Health & Human Services Commission’s Refugee Resettlement Program to not participate in the resettlement of any Syrian refugees in the State of Texas. And I urge you, as President, to halt your plans to allow Syrians to be resettled anywhere in the United States,” Gov. Abbott said.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence also said in a statement released Monday that he has suspended resettlement of Syrian refugees in Indiana.
In addition, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley released a statement Sunday saying he will not permit Syrian refugees to relocate to Alabama. No Syrian refuges have been relocated to Alabama so far.
“I will not place Alabamians at even the slightest, possible risk of an attack on our people. Please continue to join me in praying for those who have suffered loss and for those who will never allow freedom to fade at the hands of terrorists,” Gov. Bentley said.
President Barack Obama said in a press conference Monday that it’s wrong to associate the attacks with the people in Syria and Iraq. He said it was “shameful” for political leaders to call for imposing a religious test on refugees. Obama also said that people fleeing Syria are the ones more harmed by terrorism.
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