Multiple state governors on Monday opposed the relocation of Syrian refugees to the United States after deadly terrorist attacks in Paris last week.
Since the attacks, Republican governors of at least 222 states announced they would resist new settlement of migrants, citing security concerns. One Democrat — Gov. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire — urged the federal government to stop admitting refugees until more is known about its vetting process.
The State Department said it would not change its plan to accept 10,000 Syrian refugees in the next year amid ongoing conflict in the country.
Governors of these states spoke out against settlement:
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Maine
Michigan
Mississippi
Nebraska
New Hampshire
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Texas
Wisconsin
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley did not immediately oppose admitting refugees outright, but said, "if we need to change our policy, we will."
On Monday, Democratic governors of at least six states announced they would continue to allow resettlement:
Connecticut
Hawaii
Kentucky
Minnesota
Pennsylvania
Washington
Statements by the governors came as President Barack Obama addressed the G-20 meeting in Turkey. He called suggestions from political leaders that a religious test be applied to refugees seeking asylum in the U.S., "shameful."
"That's not American," he said. "That's not who we are. We do not have religious tests to our compassion."