Governor Mead says no refugees under flawed system

CHEYENNE — Wyoming Governor Matt Mead followed the lead of many other governors across the country in halting acceptance of Syrian refugees to Wyoming.

Mead said, “No state should have to endure the threat of terrorists entering our borders. The president needs to make certain an absolutely thorough vetting system is in place that will not allow terrorists from Syria or any other part of the world into our country. In light of the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris, I have joined other governors in demanding the refugee process be halted until it is guaranteed to provide the security demanded by Wyoming and United States citizens. I have written the President to make it known Wyoming will not accept a lackluster system that allows terrorists to slip through the cracks.”

State Rep. Mike Greear (R-Worland-Dist. 27) points out that Wyoming is in a unique position when approaching the Syrian refugee crisis. “Wyoming is the only state without an immigration office, so we rely solely on the judgement of the federal government [when dealing with refugees],” explained Greear. “I think the governor’s response was justified. I see no problem with being cautious.”

Wyoming is the only state in the country that doesn’t have a refugee resettlement program. Mead said he’s not aware that any refugees have arrived in the state.

“The state is the smallest in terms of population,” Mead told reporters Tuesday in Cheyenne, where he presided over the start of his annual business forum. “It takes nonprofits to develop some of those programs. As you know, I’ve taken a look at that to see what it would be, and that discussion hasn’t gone that well.”

Mead said any suggestion that Wyoming should establish a refugee program has met with strong public criticism in recent years. “There was a lot of resistance and resentment from some people,” he said. “They didn’t want to have it because they thought it was an invitation to have refugees in the state.”

Mead said he believes that as long as the federal government allows refugees into the country, the possibility exists that some will come to Wyoming.

U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) said, “I support Governor Mead’s decision and am pleased to see that he was joining a conference call between the governors and President Obama. 

“We have already spent tens of millions of dollars to help these refugees as they arrive in Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon. It makes much more sense to keep these refugees closer to their country rather than shipping them thousands of miles.  It is also safer for our country especially with the recent attacks in Paris.”

Laura Mengelkamp, press secretary for Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), said, “Senator Barrasso opposes bringing Syrian refugees into Wyoming. The Paris attacks clearly demonstrated the danger of ISIS infiltrating Syrian refugees in order to commit acts of terrorism.”

She added, “He believes the U.S. refugee resettlement program should be stopped until we have the capabilities to properly vet and assess the potential threats posed by individuals coming from Syria. We can work with other countries to provide humanitarian assistance to individuals being impacted by this terrible crisis without bringing the Syrian refugees to our shores.”

Max D’Onofrio, press secretary for U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), said, “The attacks in Paris were a tragic event. ISIS is a brutal terrorist organization that seeks to do us maximum harm and it must be more than contained, it must be defeated.

“Senator Enzi believes that Americans have an expectation that we will be secure against those who would wish to attack us. This includes protecting against potential threats that would seek to enter the country through our refugee programs. Senator Enzi supports the governor and believes that any refugee process needs to be secure and properly vetted.”

Governor Mead and other governors were scheduled to have a conference call with the president Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Associated Press, the White House planned a conference call with governors about plans to increase the number of refugees accepted in the United States after governors raised concerns that terrorists might use the refugees as cover to sneak across borders.

Spokesmen for the governors of Michigan and Arizona say the call was planned for 3 p.m. MST Tuesday.

More than half of U.S. governors have objected to plans to resettle Syrian refugees in the United States, with some declaring that they will not allow resettlement in their states after the deadly attacks in Paris. But the federal government controls resettlement programs, and state authorities have no legal authority to bar refugees from moving to their jurisdictions, according to the AP.