In an act of true patriotism, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is refusing to allow Syrian refugees into the Lone Star State following a horrific and unprecedented attack in Paris, France, that left more than 120 people dead and another 350 injured on Friday.
Gov. Abbott declared that he will not be taking any risks when it comes to allowing Syrian immigrants with possible ties to terrorism across the Texas border.
Texas’ decision to ban Syrian refugees follows suit with four other U.S. states – Michigan, Alabama, Arkansas and Louisiana – whose governors also vowed to protect its citizens by closing their borders to immigrants who could include Islamist extremists looking for entrances into the U.S. in order to devise and launch terror attacks against Americans.
My letter to @POTUS: Texas WILL NOT accept any Syrian refugees in the wake of the Paris attacks. https://t.co/GOALpfBD3X
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) November 16, 2015
“Given the tragic attacks in Paris and the threats we have already seen, 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,” said Gov. Abbott in a letter to President Obama.
Texas accepts about 7,000 refugees each year
Texas has already accommodated at least 120 Syrian refugees this year, reports the Texas Tribune, adding that it’s unclear how many the Lone Star State may have welcomed if it wasn’t for Gov. Abbott’s recent decision to halt its acceptances of refugees. Previous figures show that Texas generally accepts about 10 percent of the estimated 70,000 refugees allowed into the country each year.(1)
The Texas Tribune reports:
Refugee admissions are determined by the U.S. Department of State, which processes applications received through the United Nations and conducts security screenings — a process that can take up to two years.
Refugees cleared by the State Department are assigned to one of nine national refugee resettlement organizations that place individuals in communities across the country, where local case managers help them resettle.
New flag at Governor's Mansion shows Texas solidarity with France against cowardly terrorist attacks. pic.twitter.com/Xp9BA9CmN2
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 14, 2015
Alabama and Michigan say “NO” to Syrian refugees
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder made similar moves when they announced on Sunday that their states will absolutely not accept any Syrian refugees in the wake of the recent terror attacks that targeted seven locations popular for its nightlife in Paris over the weekend.
“After full consideration of this weekend’s attacks of terror on innocent citizens in Paris, I will oppose any attempt to relocate Syrian refugees to Alabama through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program,” Gov. Bentley said.(2)
Michigan’s Rep. Gary Glenn (R-Midland) urged Gov. Snyder to ban Syrian refugees after he made earlier efforts to work with the federal government to allow fleeing immigrants into the state. Prior to the Paris terror attack, Gov. Snyder announced plans to import thousands of Syrian refugees into the state under assurances that officials would effectively vet individuals for any ties to terrorism.
Government admits they have no system for vetting Syrian refugees
Federal and state government’s assurance to effectively vet potential terrorists is completely outrageous considering that the Department of Homeland Security admittedly has NO system for doing so.
Congressman Peter King, R-N.Y., chairman of the U.S. House Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee said the U.S. has no databases, no government records and no employment records to use for vetting Syrian refugees, according to a press release by Rep. Glenn’s office.(3)
“We don’t know who these people are,” King told Fox News.
Despite the recent terror attacks in Paris in over the weekend, top government aides confirmed that President Obama intends to move forward with his plan to take in 10,000 Syrian refugees over the next year.(4)
The Canadian government said it will also accept refugees, accommodating about 25,000 by the end of 2015, reports The Washington Post.(5)
Sources:
(1) TexasTribune.org
(3) GaryGlenn.us
