Syrian refugees welcomed by agencies despite states' fight

[riversedge]

Source: AP


Syrian refugees welcomed by agencies despite states' fight
By NOMAAN MERCHANT and BRIAN SLODYSKO


Dec. 9, 2015 8:04 AM EST


Cruz Offers Legislation on Mideast Refugees
AP

DALLAS (AP) —.............................

Local volunteers collected mattresses, toys and bicycles for two children. Syrians already settled here were prepared to welcome them and help them get acquainted with their new home thousands of miles from their war-torn homeland.

.............................

Refugees arrived this week in two cities in Texas and in Indiana, both states whose governors have said they reject Syrian refugees due to concerns they might pose a threat to public safety.


A family of six refugees was settled Monday night in Dallas, joining relatives living in the region already, and a couple and their four daughters arrived in Houston. They arrived as Texas was mounting the most aggressive campaign of any state against Syrian refugees.

And a couple and their two young children arrived in Indiana at the invitation of the Roman Catholic archdiocese in Indianapolis, which went on with plans to resettle them despite calls from Gov. Mike Pence not to do so...................

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/1cba245ce4044b5ca7da557d947c15c6/syrian-refugees-welcomed-agencies-despite-states-fight

---

[pampango]

1. "Even as governors in some states say Syrian refugees aren't welcome, resettlement agencies and

volunteer groups with refugees continue welcoming them.

"We've been overwhelmed with messages of support, messages to be shared with the families, and all the Syrians, and even refugees from other countries who've made their home in Dallas," said Anne Marie Weiss-Armush, president of DFW International Community Alliance, who is working with the newly arrived family.

Pence and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott were among more than two dozen Republican governors who said they would refuse any new Syrian refugees following the deadly Nov. 13 Paris attacks, which have been linked to the Islamic State group operating in Syria.

Pence said Tuesday that he still supports a ban on Syrian refugees, but that he won't try to deny Medicaid, food stamps or other social services to Syrians who arrive in Indiana.

Abbott was in Washington with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to support a Cruz bill that would allow governors to refuse refugees they deem to be a security threat. "I will continue to do everything that I can to ensure that refugees from Syria who could pose a danger to the people of the state of Texas will not be allowed to relocate into the state of Texas," Abbott said.

Thanks for posting this, riversedge.