White House discusses Syrian refugee plan on call with governors

However, despite the governor’s attempt to go against the increase in Obama’s refugee plan, federal law emphatically does not give states the ability to nullify the president’s decision to increase the number of Syrian refugees in the USA or determine where they reside.

The Republican chairman of the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee, Michael McCaul, said his bill would strengthen security measures for all refugee populations.

The Obama administration was responding to the fact that several dozen states, nearly all of them Republican-controlled, had announced their opposition to taking in refugees claiming security concerns after last Friday’s attacks in Paris that killed 129 people and wounded more than 350.

The officials briefed the governors on the rigorous screening and security vetting process that is required before a refugee is able to travel to the United States.

Mr McCaul said legislation was necessary because the President was unlikely to halt the programme. As recently as February, he wanted the United States to continue accepting them and said he thought it could be done safely.

“I can not think of a more potent recruitment tool for Isil than a few of the rhetoric that’s been coming out of here during the course of this debate”, he said, using another name for Islamic State. Dayton said. “They are not a threat to anyone”.

Fewer than 2,000 Syrian refugees have been admitted into the USA, a point of contention with European countries that have brought in hundreds of thousands of refugees from across the Middle East and Africa.

The governor said he has ordered Louisiana State Police to track the 13 Syrian refugees that have been sent to his state so far by the federal government.

The White House held a 90-minute phone call with 34 governors on Tuesday night to explain how Syrian refugees are screened and prioritised for entry. “When individuals say we should have religious tests, and only Christians, proven Christians, should be allowed, that’s offensive and contrary to American values”.

In an interview with NPR’s Morning Edition, the governor of Washington state publicly welcomed refugees, citing the inscription on the Statue of Liberty, warning fellow governors against “fear”, and insisting that background checks minimize whatever risk the refugees may pose.