"They have lost everything:" Woman who oversees agency that helps refugees says they pose no danger
MILWAUKEE -- Governor Scott Walker says he's telling state agencies: Do not provide benefits or services to any new Syrian refugees should they be placed in Wisconsin. Walker says it's to avoid putting people here at risk. One national group that places refugees says there's no danger.
Linda Hartke
"Let`s remember these refugees themselves are fleeing ISIS. I was in Jordan and Egypt with Syrian refugees earlier this year. They have lost everything," Linda Hartke with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service said.
Hartke oversees the Baltimore-based organization -- one of nine national agencies in charge of placing refugees in the United States.
She says terrorists would be foolish to try entering the country as a refugee.
"Whether it be visitors, business people, students -- no one else receives the kind of scrutiny and the long waits that refugees receive," Hartke said.
Governor Scott Walker and other Republican leaders don't share that confidence.
Gov. Scott Walker
Walker sent a letter Tuesday to Washington -- informing federal officials that he's directed state agencies to not participate in the resettlement of Syrian refugees in Wisconsin:
Dear Secretary Kerry and Secretary Burwell:
As Chief Executive of the State of Wisconsin, I take seriously my obligation to ensure the safety and protection of the citizens of this state. It has become apparent there are not proper security procedures in place to appropriately background and accurately ascertain the identities of those entering our country through the Syrian refugee program. This deficiency in the program poses a threat to the safety and security of our people. At this time, I cannot authorize the cooperation of our state in any efforts to resettle Syrian refugees in Wisconsin.
I have issued a directive to Secretary Eloise Anderson of the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families to not participate in the resettlement of Syrian refugees in Wisconsin. Our state will not facilitate the coordination or provision of benefits or services for individuals whose presence could pose a potential risk to our people. We will make all efforts to ensure that Syrian refugees are not resettled within the boundaries of our state.
Please respect our desire to do all we can to protect Wisconsin residents by honoring this request in recognition of the real threat facing our state and our nation.
"Does that mean a governor is going to send state troopers into a school and ask Syrian refugee kids to stand up and tell them 'sorry, you`re not going to get a hot lunch?'" Hartke said.
House Speaker Paul Ryan has called on President Barack Obama to pause his plan to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees next year.
"The majority leader and our committee chairs are developing a plan to address the Syrian refuge crisis. Our nation has always been welcoming -- but we cannot let terrorists take advantage of our compassion," Speaker Ryan said.
Hartke says her agency would have to consider whether refugees are eligible for aid before deciding to place them in a given state.
According to the Office of Refugee Resettlement, a total of three Syrian refugees were placed in Wisconsin between 2012 and 2014.
Data for 2015 is not yet available.
CLICK HERE for refugee arrivals by country/state 2012-2014.
CLICK HERE for data available via the Refugee Processing Center (includes total admissions by country for each year, dating back to 2001).