Gov. Wolf Issues Pennsylvania's Position on Syrian Refugees

Gov. Tom Wolf said Pennsylvania will continue to accept Syrian refugees in the wake of Friday’s deadly attacks in Paris, according to a statement from his office. The Islamic State, which took responsibility for the deadline violence in Paris, has strongholds in war-torn Syria.

“While details are still emerging regarding the individuals responsible for the heinous attacks in Paris, all of those responsible committed atrocious acts and must be brought to justice,” Wolf’s spokesman, Jeffrey Sheridan, said in a statement. “We must not lose sight of the fact that families leaving Syria are trying to escape the same violence and unimaginable terror that took place in Paris and Beirut.”

“To assist the settlement of families fleeing the humanitarian crisis in Syria, the federal government coordinates with local charitable organizations in Pennsylvania and other states,” Sheridan said in the statement. “Pennsylvania will continue working with the federal government to ensure that all individuals have gone through the proper screening process.

“Gov. Wolf wants Pennsylvania to continue to build on its rich history of accepting immigrants and refugees from around the world but he is also committed to protecting Pennsylvanians and will work with the federal government to ensure it is taking every precaution necessary in screening those families coming into the country,” the statement said.

Some governors have taken opposing positions. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Monday his state will not accept any Syrian refugees following a series of attacks in Paris that left more than 125 dead Friday night.

“Given the tragic attack in Paris and the threats we have already seen in Texas, coupled with the FBI director’s acknowledgment that we do not have the information necessary to effectively vet Syrian nationals, Texas cannot participate in any program that will result in Syrian refugees - any one of whom could be connected to terrorism - being resettled in Texas,” Abbott wrote Monday in a letter to President Obama.

This weekend, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said his state will pause already divisive efforts to bring Syrian refugees to Michigan after the terror attacks in Paris.

President Obama said the United States can and should provide a safe haven for some of the millions of refugees seeking asylum from terror, while at the same time taking a hard line against the Islamic State and ensuring the security and safety of the American people.

Not accepting refugees is a “betrayal of U.S. values,” the president said.

With reporting from Brian McCready and Beth Dalbey, Patch Editors