Minnesota governor: 'Showmanship' by 27 trying to block Syrian refugees
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is accusing 27 governors in other states of “showmanship” for publicly stating they don’t want Syrian refugees to land in their states. But Gov. Dayton didn’t go as far to say Minnesota would welcome Syrian refugees.
"We're not a natural focus for a refugee community -- a Syrian refugee community,” Dayton said.
The response from governors comes after European officials claimed one of the Paris attackers was a Syrian citizen who entered Europe amid a stream of refugees. Meanwhile, President Obama is standing by his plan to bring up to 10,000 refugees into the United States this year.
“Many of these refugees are the victims of terrorism themselves,” Obama said. “That's what they're fleeing.”
Gov. Dayton continues to say the safety of Minnesotans is his top priority.
"I would urge Minnesotans to trust that everything is being done to protect them,” Dayton said.
Without any real legal authority to block refugees from entering their states, the governors are essentially making political statements that, without the support of the federal government, carry no real weight.
States taking a stand against Syrian refugees
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
New Jersey
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Ohio
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Wisconsin
What the governors are saying
“We are at war, whether people want to admit it or not. And we want to keep Mississippi out of war here at the home front.” – Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant
“There is no way that we can put any of our people at risk by bringing people in at this point.” – Ohio Gov. John Kasich
“The safety and security of the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is my highest priority.” - Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker
States allowing Syrian refugees
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Hawaii
Pennsylvania
Vermont
Washington