Bryant vows 'everything humanly possible' to block refugees

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant on Monday vowed to block federal relocation of Syrian refugees to the Magnolia State, taking a stance similar to other governors, including those in Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Texas.

"I will do everything humanly possible to stop any plans from the Obama Administration to put Syrian refugees in Mississippi," Bryant said.

Governors are citing concerns for the safety of their citizens after Friday night's terrorist attacks in Paris.

Bryant said he is working with the state Department of Public Safety and Mississippi Office of Homeland Security "to determine the current status of any Syrian refugees that may be brought to our state in the near future." He said he believes about 15 governors so far have expressed concerns or opposition to receiving Syrian refugees.

“The policy of bringing these individuals into the country is not only misguided, it is extremely dangerous," Bryant said. "I’ll be notifying President Obama of my decision today to resist this potential action.”

According to a State Department website, no Syrian refugees have been relocated to Mississippi this year through October.

"We are trying to determine how many Syrian refugees might come to Mississippi, and when," said Bryant, who ordered flags on state properties to be flown at half staff in remembrance of those killed in the Paris attacks.

Bryant, who just returned from a trip to Israel where he said he was "standing on the Israeli-Syrian border" on Saturday, said he is uncertain whether states have the authority to resist federal relocation of refugees but that he has staff researching it.

"If we can't prevent it, then we need to ask our congressional delegation, our congressmen and senators, to look at doing something to allow us that opportunity in the future," Bryant said. "... Believe me, this is a serious situation we have in the Middle East, and it does not appear our federal administration realizes it."

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal on Monday issued an executive order to prevent Syrian refugees being relocated in Louisiana, citing a section of his state's constitution that says the governor has the power during an emergency to protect citizens and property.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on Sunday made a similar vow to oppose any attempts to locate Syrian refugees in his state. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on Sunday said his state would halt acceptance of any Syrian refugees until a full review of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's procedures. Previously, Snyder had said his office was working with the federal government to help refugees from the Middle East.

Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves in a statement Monday said, "President Obama said last week ISIS was contained. The American people do not trust the Obama Administration to properly 'vet' Syrian refugees. Gov. Phil Bryant has my full support to do whatever is necessary to protect Mississippians."

The Obama Administration in September said the U.S. would be willing to take in at least 10,000 Syrians over the next year.

Catholic Charities of Jackson has for more than 25 years operated a program to accept unaccompanied children refugees. A spokeswoman on Monday said Bishop Joseph Kopacz was out of state and unavailable for immediate comment.

In a written statement, Catholic Charities of Jackson said it has no arrangement at this time to accept refugees from Syria or surrounding countries and "at this time, Jackson is not considered a site for resettlement."

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, said America's system of vetting those entering the country is strong and "even more robust" for those coming from countries such as Syria. He questioned whether states' governors can stop refugees from coming to their states because "that whole process is a federal process."

"I'm comfortable with the process we use for vetting any immigrant that comes here," Thompson said. "I understand the concern and caution that's being exhibited. Unless someone can convince me that our system of vetting is flawed, then I have confidence in our system."

But U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo said the refugees from Syria should not be allowed into the U.S. Last month he co-sponsored a bill that would stop the Syrian refugee process and has signed onto a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry calling for the U.S. to immediately halt admission of Syrian and Iraqi refugees into the country. A spokeswoman for Palazzo said he believes "Middle Eastern refugees should be resettled in the Middle East."

State Department officials say they’re aware of the governors’ concerns and take them seriously, but disagree that many refugees from the region, who they called vulnerable, “represent any kind of real threat.’’

All refugees undergo a stringent security process before entering the United States, said Mark Toner, a spokesman for the State Department.

“It’s not something we take lightly,’’ said Toner. “We stand by our process.’’

Toner said the administration is committed to its goal. The administration has said it will accept 10,000 Syrian refugees in fiscal year 2016.

Still, Toner said the administration will weigh the concerns of governors.

“Our approach to this is ‘You have concerns. Let’s have a dialogue. Let’s consult. Let’s talk this through. Let’s try to address your concerns and alleviate those concerns,’’ Toner said.

“We feel very strongly that we have a process in place that allows for the safe resettlement of refugees,’’ Toner said. “We stand by the process. It’s rigorous. It’s effective.’’

Contact Geoff Pender at (601) 961-7266 or gpender@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @GeoffPender on Twitter.