Illinois and Iowa are among the growing number of states who have, at least temporarily, stopped accepting refugees from Syria.
At least one of the terrorists responsible for the November 13 attacks in Paris reportedly entered Europe among a wave of refugees fleeing Syria to escape war, according to French authorities. That man entered Greece in early October after he falsely identified himself as a Syrian named Ahmad al Muhammad.
The Obama administration announced in September that 10,000 Syrians will be allowed entry into the U.S. next year. Because of concerns that terrorists could be among them, more than half the nation's governors have declared they are opposed to allowing the refugees into their state, and many questioned whether any should be allowed into the United States at this time.
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner joined that list Monday, November 16, 2015, calling the Paris attacks a reminder "of the all-too-real security threats facing America."
"We must find a way to balance our tradition as a state welcoming of refugees while ensuring the safety and security of our citizens," Rauner said. "Therefore, the state of Illinois will temporarily suspend accepting new Syrian refugees and consider all of our legal options pending a full review of our country's acceptance and security processes by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security."
After initially questioning whether states have the authority to halt refugee acceptance, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad later ordered all state agencies to immediately halt any work on Syrian refugee resettlements and called for a thorough review of the process by U.S. intelligence.
“I want to do all I can as the governor of this state to protect the safety and well-being of Iowans,” Branstad said in remarks delivered Monday morning, November 16. “I don’t want people coming here without a very careful vetting; make sure that there’s no likelihood that they could have been radicalized or could be part of an ISIS operation.”
At World Relief in Moline, director Amy Rowell has been following the developments closely. Monday, she said she's heartbroken over the Paris attacks, but is unsure that suspending the resettlement program is the right move.
"We're just cautious about sometimes reacting out of fear, and we pray that people get the right answers," said Rowell. "We're hopeful that the programs can continue and that the right people will be allowed to come, who are not terrorists, who will be coming here to start their lives new."
Rowell said a strict screening process already exists for anyone hoping to come to the U.S. as a refugee. It includes checks by the FBI, State Department, Homeland Security, and the National Counter-Terrorism Center.
"That generally lasts minimally 18 months. For many refugees it lasts a lot, lot longer," said Rowell.
Rauner also ordered all U.S. flags flowing in Illinois to be lowered to half-staff immediately on November 16, in honor of the victims of the Paris attacks, and to remain at half-staff until sunset Thursday, November 19.