More than 10 governors sent letters to the Obama administration on Monday, all bearing the same message: We refuse to accept Syrian refugees into our state and local communities. But turning against Syrians fleeing horror and violence in the Middle East is precisely the wrong response to last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris. In fact, Islamic State, also known as ISIS, is looking for proof that the West stands against Arabs and Muslims.

Throughout history the U.S. has offered refuge to people fleeing persecution, and the...