Delaware GOP leaders are urging Gov. Jack Markell (D) to reconsider his stance on allowing Syrian refugees to resettle in the state.
A passport linked with a Syrian refugee was found near the body of one of the suicide bombers Friday, authorities say. The attacks killed 129 people and injured more than 300 others.
State GOP chair Charlie Copeland sent a letter to the governor Monday, saying, "It is critical that the United States not fall victim to the same events witnessed in Europe over the weekend, and the best way to do this is to protect our borders."
In a September News Journal article, Markell said he supports President Obama’s efforts to let another 10,000 Syrian refugees into the country next year and that he’d help with state services if necessary.
Copeland says there are other options, such as focusing humanitarian aid toward establishing refugee camps around Jordan, Turkey and Iraq.
“I think he’s putting Delawareans unnecessarily at risk when there are other solutions to this problem.”
Markell spokeswoman Kelly Bachman says he's standing by his decision, noting the federal refugee review system "has the highest level of security checks of any traveler to American shores" to make sure they're not a security risk.
"It is unfortunate that anyone would use the tragic events in Paris to send a message that we do not understand the plight of these refugees, ignoring the fact that the people we are talking about are fleeing the perpetrators of terror," said Bachman in a statement.
NPR reports that 24 governors across the country - 23 of them Republican - have said either they won’t allow the federal government to relocate Syrian refugees in their respective states - or are asking it to not to move forward with any plans.
A spokeswoman for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington, an organization that provides services to resettled families, says they know of no Syrian refugees in Delaware at this time.