Groups want Illinois governor to reverse Syrian refugee call

Among Republicans, it was 64 percent to 27 percent in favor of sending troops; among Democrats, it was 59 percent to 31 percent against sending them.

Ohio Governor John Kasich told a Boston audience Tuesday that he opposes Syrian refugees coming into the country, regardless of their religion.

House Speaker Paul Ryan called for a “pause” in the Syrian scheme, joining more than half of state governors urging Obama to suspend the program and fully review the vetting process to ensure that would-be attackers do not slip into the country as refugees.

Almukhalalate is a Syrian refugee now living in Houston with his parents, but his sister is in Jordan.

Pennsylvania Democratic Congressman Senator Robert Casey says we can not turn our back on Syrian refugees. He insisted the US process for screening refugees for possible entry into the U.S.is rigorous and said the USA doesn’t make good decisions “based on hysteria” or exaggerated risk.

“The bill requires the nation’s top security officials – the secretary of homeland security, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the director of national intelligence – to certify before admitting any Syrian or Iraqi refugee into the United States that the individual does not represent a security threat”, Mr McCaul said.

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. “It needs to stop; because the world is watching”, he added. As recently as February, he wanted the United States to continue accepting them and said he thought it could be done safely.

“I understand why Americans have been particularly affected”, he said.

At least 30 governors – mostly Republicans – have said they will not allow Syrian refugees into their states.

“We are not well served when in response to a terrorist attack we descend into fear and panic”, the president said.

Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey also acknowledged at a congressional hearing on October 22 that Iraq War refugees who evaded screening in the USA were later arrested on terrorism charges, and that even less would be known of Syrian refugees.

The Senate, where Republicans hold a smaller majority than in the House, would also have to approve any legislation on the refugees before it could take effect.

Snyder, for example, condemned Republicans who suggested that only Christian Syrians be allowed into the United States.