Obama uses Thanksgiving address to scold Americans over Syrian refugees

President Obama said every day he receives letters and emails from Americans wanting to open their homes to refugees.

Mark Dayton is the only state executive to say he is satisfied that the Obama administration’s plan would separate terrorists from refugees. “Our nation and our state have a shared history of providing safe haven for those displaced by conflict, but the news surrounding the Paris terror attacks reminds us of the all-too-real security threats facing America”, Rauner said in a statement.

In a Thanksgiving address, the US president likened the plight of these refugees to that of the Pilgrims who came to America in 1620. He said our greatness comes from all those who volunteer at food banks and shelters all year to make sure no one goes hungry.

The House of Representatives passed a bill to suspend the refugee plan and intensify refugee screening measures before lawmakers left Washington for the Thanksgiving break.

The letter was in response to the announcement made by over 24 governors, majority Republicans, who said that they would reject efforts to resettle refugees coming from Syria in their states due to the November 13 incident in Paris and due to fear that the resettlement could be exploited in order for militant groups to enter the U.S.

The legislation would mandate the top security executives – Federal Bureau of Investigation director, the Department of Homeland Security director, and the director of national intelligence – to make sure that US has no security risk from refugees who will be admitted. “That was the case before Paris, and it’s the case now”, Mr. Obama said.

He further criticized the administration as “hypocritical” for threatening states that might not comply with refugee resettlement while turning a blind eye to sanctuary cities – that refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement warned that states denying services and benefits to Syrian refugees would be in violation of federal law.

In his Thanksgiving Day message, President Barack Obama said Thanksgiving, is a day to count our blessings because we all have something to be grateful for. The governors of more than 30 states, most but not all of the Republican, have said the refugees are not welcome there and that they will do all they an to oppose their settlement.

The U.S. federal government is warning state officials they do not have the legal authority to refuse to accept refugees from Syria.