Syrian Refugees May Continue To Resettle In N.J., Defying Christie: Rescue Groups

Rescue groups say they’ll continue to locate Syrian refugees in New Jersey despite Gov. Chris Christie’s decision to stop resettlement in the state.

Erol Kekic, director of Immigration and Refugee Programs for Church World Service, told The Asbury Park Press that “we’re going to fight this one ... We’re not just right, we’re on the right side of history.”

“We will be in touch with out federal partners and seek legal counsel to determine what the next steps will be,” Kekic told Patch.

The International Rescue Commission, which resettles refugees in New Jersey, said in a statement that ”now is no time to abandon this successful model. Refugees are the most security vetted population who come to the United States.”

“Security screenings are rigorous and involve the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and the Department of Defense,” according to the statement. “Across the U.S., successful Syrian-American communities are testimony to the potential contribution of refugees to this country.”

Approximately 92 Syrian refugees have settled into New Jersey life just as the state - and the nation - debate whether to take more, according to the U.S. Department of State.

That debate has hit fever pitch in recent days since ISIS claimed responsibility for the deadly terror attacks last week in Paris.

On Tuesday, Gov. Chris Christie announced that he sent a letter to President Obama, notifying him that New Jersey will not accept any refugees from Syria in the wake of the terrorist attacks that took place in Paris last week.

Christie and others also have called for an end to the Syrian refugee immigration, saying it could open the gate for terrorists to enter the United States.

New Jersey, meanwhile, has the ninth largest population of Syrian refugees. And those who have settled in some local communities (see map below) over the past year or so say they’ve done so with little trouble.

“The biggest damage is putting this irrational fear in people’s heads and in people’s minds and people’s hearts,” Kekic, told the APP, adding: ”Refugees are the most scrutinized group of people that ever travel to the U.S.... That is why it enrages me to hear we don’t know who these people here are. That is completely and utterly untrue.”

Here is the map of Syrian refugee locations. Click on the markers to learn about the refugees’ story:

Photo: Women and children among Syrian refugees striking at the platform of Budapest Keleti railway station. Refugee crisis. Budapest, Hungary, Central Europe, 4 September 2015. (3)“ by Mstyslav Chernov - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Women_and_children_among_Syrian_refugees_striking_at_the_platform_of_Budapest_Keleti_railway_station._Refugee_crisis._Budapest,_Hungary,_Central_Europe,_4_September_2015._(3).jpg#/media/File:Women_and_children_among_Syrian_refugees_striking_at_the_platform_of_Budapest_Keleti_railway_station._Refugee_crisis._Budapest,_Hungary,_Central_Europe,_4_September_2015._(3).jpg