A letter sent Wednesday by the Office of Refugee Resettlement says states may not deny benefits and services to refugees based on a refugee’s country of origin or religious affiliation.
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The Obama administration warned states over the Syrian refugee crisis Wednesday, telling them in a letter they do not have legal authority to refuse the refugees, and states that do not comply may be subject to enforcement action.
Fourteen Syrian refugees have resettled in Louisisna this year – seven in Kenner, six in New Orleans and one in Baton Rouge, according to the State Department. States that defy the law could face suspension or termination of their refugee resettlement programs, according to the letter, which was signed by Robert Carey, director of the office. In Fiscal Year 2016, the Administration remains committed to its goal of resettling at least 10,000 Syrian refugees in the United States.
Saudi Arabia, through its state-run press agency, stated it does not accept Syrian refugees but will accept Syrian citizens who want to live in “dignity” within its borders.
Abbott, who said Texas “will not accept any refugees from Syria, ” has pointed to federal law that stresses “close cooperation” between states and the feds.
As the number of immigrants dislocated by the war in Syria grows in Europe, pressure is increasing on the United States to share the burden of resettling refugees from the war pouring into Europe. Who it applies to: Refugees, who the United States government defines as any person outside their country of nationality or residence who is unable or unwilling to return due to fear of persecution. The governors cited security concerns on the possibility of terrorists slipping into the US using the refugee program. Members of Congress – in both political parties – have picked up on the mood of fear, resisting President Obama’s effort to bring more of the refugees (mostly Muslims) into the country.
“Just to accept those without participating in the United Nations resettlement process is not showing the leadership we think they need to be taking”, he says.
Mike Pence has been sued for ordering state agencies to suspend the resettlement programme for Syrian refugees in the USA state.
Myth: 70% of the Syrian refugees coming to the United States are young, single, adult men. The House also passed a bill early last week seeking to block Iraqi and Syrian refugees from the country, though the Senate may not take up the issue.
Lt. Gov. Phil Scott had called for a pause in allowing Syrian refugees to be settled in Vermont following the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris.
President Obama threatened to veto the bill if it reaches his desk commenting on Twitter, “slamming the door in the face of refugees would betray our deepest values”.
The White House in September announced a program under which 10,000 Syrian refugees will be admitted to US over the next year.
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A resettlement handbook notes that “refugee applicants must clear a series of biographic and biometric checks prior to final approval”.
