But instead of blocking the resettlement of refugees, states, including those led by Republican governors, say they will continue their resettlement programs.
Thirty-nine states have said they intend to continue to place refugees in their states. Of those, 17 are led by Republicans. So far, no states have declined to accept refugees.
“During the Trump administration, there’s been this narrative that Republicans don’t support resettlement, but it’s just not the case,” said Jen Smyers, director of policy and advocacy for the immigration and refugee program at Church World Service, one of nine resettlement agencies. “You can’t turn off the light switch and turn off bipartisan support that’s been built up for decades.”
Church World Service is among the agencies that filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s directive requiring state and local sign-off to receive refugees. A federal judge in Maryland heard arguments in the case earlier this week.
Indiana’s current governor, Republican Eric Holcomb, said his state is “a destination of certainty, stability and opportunity.”
“Our long tradition of welcoming and helping to resettle refugees with support from our federal partners, shows the world the compassion of Hoosiers and our willingness to give others the ability to grow and prosper in the great state of Indiana,” Holcomb wrote in a letter provided to refugee agencies and obtained by CNN.
While the future of those agencies is still unclear, states, along with some cities, are reaffirming their commitment to resettle refugees months before they’re required to. Some Republican governors are among them. Many industries rely on employing refugees and conservatives have sought protection of persecuted Christians overseas.
States have until June 1 to provide consent, but resettlement agencies need to submit proposals for federal funding later this month, creating a de-facto deadline.
Some of the letters posted strongly denounce the administration’s low refugee cap, recalling the country’s long history of accepting those seeking refuge.
“Presidents as different as John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan believed this country was meant to be a shining ‘city upon a hill,’ echoing the words of the Massachusetts Bay settlers — some of the very first immigrants to these shores, searching for freedom from religious persecution,” wrote Democratic Gov. Kate Brown of Oregon.
“I ask you: what example do we set today, with all the eyes of the world on us?” she added.
Despite broad support for the program, not all states have provided a response, leaving some uncertainty over their decisions and what those decisions will mean for the program.
“We’re not at the 100 percent mark and we want to be. We want to make sure that resettlement continues everywhere,” Smyers said.
This story has been updated with the current number of responses.
Source : CNN