Pence orders all state agencies to halt the resettlement of Syrian refugees

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Published: Monday, 16 November 2015 19:28

INDIANAPOLIS —Gov. Mike Pence has directed all state agencies to suspend taking in Syrian refugees until “proper security measures have been achieved.”

Pence’s decision comes after Friday’s (Nov. 13) terrorist attacks in Paris, France, that left more than 120 people dead and 352 wounded. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria – ISIS – has claimed responsibility for the attack.

“Indiana has a long tradition of opening our arms and homes to refugees from around the world but, as governor, my first responsibility is to ensure the safety and security of all Hoosiers,” Pence said in a statement. “Unless and until the state of Indiana receives assurances that proper security measures are in place, this policy will remain in full force and effect.”

The Refugee Resettlement Office in the Division of Family Resources in the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) administers the Syrian resettlement program.

Marni Lemons with the FSSA said 40 Syrian refugees have been resettled in Indiana since 2010. Of those 40 cases, 20 refugees have been relocated to the state since the 2015 federal fiscal year. No cases are pending at this time.

“That number (of refugees) is a lot lower than most of our neighbors because the refugee organizations work closely with each other and they target certain areas for certain populations mainly because they like to settle people where they have relatives or acquaintances or churches with their religion,” Lemons said.

The FSSA works closely with two primary resettlement organizations, Catholic Charity and Exodus. Lemons said security is a prime concern for them, but it is up to the federal government to determine someone’s refugee status.

“To become a refugee, you have to demonstrate that you are fleeing from some sort of political turmoil or strife. They’re not like other immigrants,“ she said.

But Pence’s recent order raises some concern about whether he is overstepping his authority. David Orentlicher is a former Democratic member of the Indiana House of Representative and a constitutional law professor at the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis.

He said the issue would depend on the role of the agency responsible for relocating the refugees. Orentlicher said the important principle in the matter is that the states can’t interfere with federal policy.

“Our federal policy is that we only accept a certain number of refugees and if states in effect block that, then he can’t do that. He can’t take action that would block resettling of Syrian refugees in Indiana,” he said.

But the federal government can offer states incentives to bring in Syrian refugees, such as covering the cost of resettlement.

U.S. Rep. Todd Young, R-Indiana, released a statement applauding Pence’s move to suspend Syrian refugee resettlement in Indiana.

“With matters of national security, there is no room for error,” Young said in a statement. “We must be certain that our verification procedures protect the American people from threats from ISIS issued against our homeland in the wake of the Paris attacks.”

He said that the United States must work with allies to help establish refugee strategy or the region runs the risk of allowing ISIS to gain strength.

U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Indiana, echoed Young.

“We are a welcoming, humanitarian nation and state; however, in light of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris – and the threats we face around the world – it’s critical that we prioritize the safety of the American people,” Bucshon said in a statement.

“Therefore, I support Gov. Pence’s decision to suspend Syrian refugee resettlement in Indiana and believe the same step should be taken by the federal government until a thorough, effective, and verifiable vetting process is in place.”

But U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, D-Indiana, said Indiana has a humanitarian duty to provide a “safe haven for those escaping persecution and violence.”

“As a member of our Intelligence Committee, I believe that rather than looking for ways to keep refugees out, we should be discussing how we can strengthen our screening processes to better detect those who pose a risk to our country,” Carson said in a statement.

Article writer Andi TenBarge is a reporter with TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College Journalism students. 

From the governor's office:

Pence suspends resettlement of Syrian refugees

INDIANAPOLIS - Following reports that a Syrian refugee was among the perpetrators of the terrorists attacks that took place in Paris on Friday, Gov. Mike Pence issued the following statement:

“In the wake of the horrific attacks in Paris, effective immediately, I am directing all state agencies to suspend the resettlement of additional Syrian refugees in the state of Indiana pending assurances from the federal government that proper security measures have been achieved. Indiana has a long tradition of opening our arms and homes to refugees from around the world but, as governor, my first responsibility is to ensure the safety and security of all Hoosiers. Unless and until the state of Indiana receives assurances that proper security measures are in place, this policy will remain in full force and effect.”

The Refugee Resettlement Office in the Division of Family Resources in the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) administers the Syrian resettlement program.