In wake of attacks in Paris, Governor Pence and others request that Syrian refugee program be suspended until gaps acknowledged by FBI Director are addressed
Indianapolis – Today, Governor Mike Pence joined a multi-governor letter to President Barack Obama urging the suspension of plans to resettle additional Syrian refugees until an exhaustive review of all security measures has been completed. This letter follows findings that a Syrian refugee was among the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks that took place in Paris.
Governor Pence announced earlier this week that Indiana would suspend the resettlement of Syrian Refugees in Indiana “pending assurances from the federal government that proper security measures have been achieved.”
The letter was signed by 27 governors, and states that “In the wake of this recent tragedy, and until we can ensure the citizens of our states that an exhaustive review of all security measures has been completed and the necessary changes have been implemented, we respectfully request that you suspend all plans to resettle additional Syrian refugees.”
Key excerpts from the letter to the President include:
“Our country has long served as a welcoming beacon to individuals and families who seek safety and refugee status within the borders of the United States.”
“…we are deeply concerned that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria may have exploited the generosity of the refugee system to carry out Friday’s terrorist attack in Paris.”
“Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, James Comey… admitted to certain inadequacies in the system that would prevent the thorough vetting of the 10,000 refugees your administration has pledged to admit into the United States.”
“As governors, we are charged with ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our citizens. In order to adequately fulfill this duty, we request that you immediately review the process by which you conduct background checks on all individuals applying for refugee status and address the gaps acknowledged by your director of the FBI.”
“In the wake of this recent tragedy, and until we can ensure the citizens of our states that an exhaustive review of all security measures has been completed and the necessary changes have been implemented, we respectfully request that you suspend all plans to resettle additional Syrian refugees.”
The letter in full can be found below:
November 20, 2015
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Our country has long served as a welcoming beacon to individuals and families who seek safety and refugee status within the borders of the United States. For years we have been proud to welcome refugees into our communities in their pursuit of a better life and future. However, we are deeply concerned that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria may have exploited the generosity of the refugee system to carry out Friday’s terrorist attack in Paris. While the tragic event was a direct assault on the European Union’s refugee system, the potential for this situation to arise in the United States is escalated by information revealed by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, James Comey. In testimony before Congress, he admitted to certain inadequacies in the system that would prevent the thorough vetting of the 10,000 refugees your administration has pledged to admit into the United States. As governors, we are charged with ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our citizens. In order to adequately fulfill this duty, we request that you immediately review the process by which you conduct background checks on all individuals applying for refugee status and address the gaps acknowledged by your director of the FBI. In the wake of this recent tragedy, and until we can ensure the citizens of our states that an exhaustive review of all security measures has been completed and the necessary changes have been implemented, we respectfully request that you suspend all plans to resettle additional Syrian refugees.
Sincerely,
Governor Robert Bentley, Alabama
Governor Douglas A. Ducey, Arizona
Governor Asa Hutchinson, Arkansas
Governor Rick Scott, Florida
Governor Nathan Deal, Georgia
Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter, Idaho
Governor Bruce Rauner, Illinois
Governor Michael R. Pence, Indiana
Governor Terry E. Branstad, Iowa
Governor Sam Brownback, Kansas
Governor Bobby Jindal, Louisiana
Governor Paul R. LePage, Maine
Governor Pete Ricketts, Nebraska
Governor Brian Sandoval, Nevada
Governor Chris Christie, New Jersey
Governor Susana Martinez, New Mexico
Governor Pat McCrory, North Carolina
Governor Jack Dalrymple, North Dakota
Governor John R. Kasich, Ohio
Governor Mary Fallin, Oklahoma
Governor Nikki Haley, South Carolina
Governor Dennis Daugaard, South Dakota
Governor Bill Haslam, Tennessee
Governor Greg Abbott, Texas
Governor Gary R. Herbert, Utah
Governor Scott Walker, Wisconsin
Governor Matthew H. Mead, Wyoming
