Connecticut Republicans Question Syrian Refugee Plan

Politicians in Connecticut and across the nation are sounding off about allowing Syrian refugees into the country following the Paris terror attacks.

Gov. Dannel Malloy said that Syrian refugees should be allowed into the state.

Malloy said through a spokesman that refugees that are granted asylum following a rigorous security progress should be accepted into Connecticut.

“Obviously in light of the tragedy in Paris, we have questions about the Department of Homeland Security’s screening measures for refugees entering our country,” said Devon Puglia, a spokesman for Malloy.

Meanwhile, state Republicans have questioned Malloy’s plan to allow Syrian refugees into the state.

House Republican Leader Themis Klarides said in a statement that federal authorities should play the lead role in determining who enters the country, but that state homeland security experts and public safety officials must also weigh in.

“We cannot rely solely on people at the federal level to tell us who should be allowed in and where they would be housed – we need to hear from Connecticut’s own experts to come up with a safe, secure plan,’’ Klarides said.

She referenced a failed plan to house 2,000 Mexican immigrants at a Southbury Training School. The federal government approached the Malloy administration about a year ago.

“I am curious as to whether Governor Malloy’s position has changed with respect to Connecticut’s ability to accommodate a relatively large group of these people,” Klarides said.

Many Republican governors have issued statements ranging from skepticism about the federal plan to downright banning the resettlement of Syrian refugees.

At least 23 governors, 22 of which are Republican, have taken action to prevent Syrian refugees from entering their states, according to USA Today.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said that he is opposed to allowing additional Syrian refugees into Massachusetts until more is known about the federal screening process.

“[at] this point in time, we would have to be very cautious about accepting folks without knowing a lot more about what the federal government’s plan looks like and how it would actually be implemented,” Baker said Monday, according to WBUR.

Presidential hopeful and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal issued an executive ordering to prevent the resettlement of additional Syrian refugees in his state by any lawful means. He wrote in his executive order that the state has been denied “critical information by the federal government regarding Syrian refugees already relocated into this state, creating an untenable situation.

Legal experts have questioned if governors have the legal authority to ban the resettlement of refugees in their states.

The U.S. Department of State Resettlement Service Centers carry out most of the casework for refugee eligibility interviews. They pre-screen applicants, initiate security checks and arrange medical examinations for hopeful asylum seekers.

President Barack Obama said that countries including Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan are already bearing an extraordinary burden of Syrian refugees and they can’t be expected to do it alone.

“...as President, my first priority is the safety of the American people,” he said at the G20 summit being held in Turkey. “And that’s why, even as we accept more refugees -- including Syrians -- we do so only after subjecting them to rigorous screening and security checks.”