Gov. Walker says Wisconsin will not accept new Syrian refugees
MADISON -- Gov. Scott Walker joined several other GOP governors Monday in saying that their states would not accept new Syrian refugees after the terror attacks in Paris on Friday.
Lawmakers honor victims of Paris terror attacks in Madison
Legal experts said Walker doesn't have the authority to block Syrians from relocating to Wisconsin, but suggested that he could refuse to provide services to them -- an action that could have the same effect.
"It is clear that the influx of Syrian refugees poses a threat," Walker said Monday in a statement in which he announced his intentions.
Meanwhile, 50 Assembly Republicans called on President Barack Obama to suspend the Syrian refugee program. Thousands of Syrians are fleeing violence caused by ISIS, which has claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks, and the president has promised to relocate 10,000 refugees in the U.S.
Rep. Robin Vos
Republican lawmakers are calling it a safety issue. French authorities said at least one of the attackers had ties to Syria.
"I think that it makes all of our own people incredibly nervous -- and I think we want to do our own due diligence before we open up the floodgates of America and say, 'come to our shores,' -- especially locating in Wisconsin," said Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester.
On Friday, hours before the terror attacks, a group of 18 lawmakers introduced legislation calling on Wisconsin to do the opposite -- accept hundreds of Syrian refugees.
The lone Republican who signed onto the bill Friday distanced himself from it on Monday.
Rep. Tom Larson
"I took my name off the bill this morning, said Rep. Tom Larson, R-Colfax. "I`m concerned that these people are going to come in without being vetted."
The bill's primary sponsor, a Democrat, said he was surprised by Larson's move when FOX6 News told him about it.
"The intent of the bill remains the same – a way to help those fleeing Syria find a refuge in the state of Wisconsin from the kind of violence that we saw on Friday in Paris," said Rep. Daniel Riemer, D-Milwaukee.
Rep. Peter Barca
Vos said he would not allow Riemer's bill to advance.
Democrats are divided on the issue. Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, says U.S. officials now need to "triple check" refugees before letting them in.
"The bar has been raised tremendously since that bombing. I think we have to exercise extreme caution," Barca said.
Wisconsin is not a prime location for Syrian refugees. Only two of the 132 Syrians who relocated to the U.S. during fiscal year 2014 moved to Wisconsin, according to federal records.
Here is Gov. Walker's full statement:
In light of these horrific and tragic attacks, our first priority must be to protect our citizens. Along with governors across the country, I have deep concerns about the Obama Administration’s plan to accept 10,000 or more Syrian refugees, especially given that one of the Paris attackers was reportedly a Syrian refugee. In consultation with our Adjutant General, who also serves as my Homeland Security Advisor, it is clear that the influx of Syrian refugees poses a threat.
With this in mind, I am calling upon the President to immediately suspend the program pending a full review of its security and acceptance procedures. The State of Wisconsin will not accept new Syrian refugees.
There may be those who will try to take advantage of the generosity of our country and the ability to move freely within our borders through this federal resettlement program, and we must ensure we are doing all we can to safeguard the security of Americans.
Furthermore, I am opposed to recently introduced legislation encouraging the state to accept Syrian refugees in Wisconsin.
CLICK HERE for complete coverage of the Paris terror attacks via FOX6Now.com.