COLUMBIA,S.C.- Gov. Nikki Haley isn’t ready to close South Carolina’s borders to all refugees, she just doesn’t want any Syrians coming to the state after the terrorist attacks in Paris. “As governor, it is my first and primary duty to ensure the safety of the citizens of South Carolina,” Haley said in a written letter to Secretary of State John Kerry. “While I agree that the United States should try to assist individuals in such dire situations,
it is precisely because of the situation in Syria that makes their admission into the United States a potential threat to our national security.”
Haley joined a growing number of mostly Republican governors in saying they would refuse to allow Syrian refugees into their states if the Obama administration goes through with its plan to let 10,000 into the country.
There are no Syrian refugees currently in South Carolina, she said, adding if that were to change, she would have to re-evaluate her stance on accepting refugees. Lavinia Limon, president and CEO of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigration, said under the Refugee Act of 1980 governors cannot legally block refugees from settling in their communities.
Despite the legal obstacles, state lawmakers have called on Haley to reject any attempt to relocate Syrian refugees. Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, also sent a letter to Haley, before she made her announcement, imploring her to cancel the agreement her office and the Department of Social Services had made with third-party groups to provide shelter for refugees. “You are on the record of supporting this refugee program,” Peeler wrote. “As Senate Majority Leader, I implore you to protect our state from terrorist activity.”
Haley joined a growing number of mostly Republican governors in saying they would refuse to allow Syrian refugees into their states if the Obama administration goes through with its plan to let 10,000 into the country.
There are no Syrian refugees currently in South Carolina, she said, adding if that were to change, she would have to re-evaluate her stance on accepting refugees. Lavinia Limon, president and CEO of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigration, said under the Refugee Act of 1980 governors cannot legally block refugees from settling in their communities.
Despite the legal obstacles, state lawmakers have called on Haley to reject any attempt to relocate Syrian refugees. Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, also sent a letter to Haley, before she made her announcement, imploring her to cancel the agreement her office and the Department of Social Services had made with third-party groups to provide shelter for refugees. “You are on the record of supporting this refugee program,” Peeler wrote. “As Senate Majority Leader, I implore you to protect our state from terrorist activity.”