The state of Georgia will not accept Syrian refugees, and the state’s governor called on President Obama to suspend a refugee resettlement program in the United States.
The move by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal comes amid growing backlash by states nationwide. In the wake of an ISIS terrorist attack in Paris that left 129 people dead, at least 18 governors have said they are opposed to refugees relocating to their states, NBC News reported.
Many are expressing concerns about whether refugees are properly screened. Some media reports indicate one of the terrorists involved in this weekend’s attacks in Paris may have entered Europe as a refugee.
“In light of the terror attacks in Paris, I’ve issued an executive order directing state agency heads to prevent the resettlement of Syrian refugees in Georgia,” Deal said in a news release.
“Further, I call upon the Obama administration to work with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security to confirm the backgrounds of the 59 Syrian refugees recently resettled to ensure they do not pose a security threat to our citizens,” Deal added. “Until the federal government and Congress conducts a thorough review of current screening procedures and background checks, we will take every measure available to us at the state level to ensure the safety of Georgians.”
According to the governor’s office, Deal has demanded that the federal government limit the number of refugees sent to Georgia since 2012.
