Conn. governor ‘proud’ to welcome Syrian family redirected from Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A Syrian family expected to arrive in Indianapolis this week has been redirected to Connecticut.
The Family and Social Services Administration sent the following letter on Tuesday to the Exodus Refugee Immigration Inc.:
“We would ask that you notify your national resettlement agency that the scheduled placement for the Syrian family scheduled to arrive this Thursday, November 19, and all subsequent Syrian arrivals be suspended or redirected to another state that is willing to accept Syrian placements until assurances that proper security measures are in place have been provided by the federal government.”
An FSSA spokeswoman says the family was relocated to New Haven, Connecticut.
“They’re not coming here for a better life or a better job. They’re actually seeking refuge to stay alive. These families are literally trying to stay alive and fight for their lives and for their children’s lives,” said Exodus Executive Director Carleen Miller.
On Monday, Gov. Mike Pence joined 30 other governors who say they will no longer accept Syrian refugees in response to last week’s attacks in Paris.
According to Miller, there are 30 Syrian refugees in the Indianapolis area and 2,000 nationally. She believes the number is a testament to what she calls a more than adequate screening process that doesn’t allow many in. Governor Pence doesn’t want to take any chances, and is asking for a more stringent screening process.
“I thought it was appropriate for us to take immediate steps to suspend any further Syrian refugees from coming into the state of Indiana until we receive the absolute assurance that the kind of background checks we anticipate from every country in the world could be effectuated in this case,” said Pence.
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy spoke about the situation Wednesday afternoon. He said he met with the family of three — a mother, father and 5-year-old boy — earlier in the day.
“Not only was I welcoming them, I was proud they would come to the United States and Connecticut,” Malloy said.
Malloy said the family escaped Syria and has been living as refugees in Jordan for the past four years. They went through an “exhaustive process” in order to enter the United States.
“It is the right thing, the humane thing to do. Quite frankly, if you believe in God, the morally correct thing to do,” said Malloy.
“We should do our part. I feel a personal obligation that we should do our part,” he added later.
Malloy had harsh words when asked about Pence.
“This is the same guy who signed a homophobic bill in the spring surrounded by homophobes and protested how proud he was that he had done it, so I’m not surprised by anything the governor does.”
When asked for comment, a Pence spokesperson replied with the following statement: “Governor Malloy’s comments are sad, unfortunate and simply not true.”
Miller says the U.S. has the most extensive screening process in the world. It includes involvement with the FBI, Homeland Security and the Deparment of Defense. But, according to Governor Pence, the FBI director said there are significant gaps in the background check process.