All over the country, Democratic mayors of more progressive cities are clashing with mostly Republican governors who say they will not allow any Syrian refugees in their states. Over half of the country's governors, thirty one in total, have pledged not to let refugees find asylum in their states, defying President Obama's promise to absorb 10,000 Syrians this year. These pledges come days after the deadly attack on Paris that left over a hundred people dead and many more injured. It was revealed that one of the attackers had entered France on a Syrian passport, posing as a refugee. Although the governors are not legally allowed to bar entry to their states for refugees, they are able to slow down the process quite a bit. Mayor of New York, Bill De Blasio, has a problem with this policy, saying he will allow Syrian refugees to take haven in New York City.
On Wednesday, De Blasio told CNN, "It sends a horrible message to the world. It means we're turning our backs on the people who are the victims of terrorism. We're not going to turn our backs on children and families. It's not the American way. It's certainly not the New York City way."
Although New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has made no such pledge to bar refugees, neighboring state New Jersey has joined the 30 other states in saying it will prohibit the entry of those trying to escape the conflict in Syria. This decision was made by Governor and presidential candidate Chris Christie.
In a letter to President Obama, Christie wrote, "I cannot allow New Jersey to participate in any program that will result in Syrian refugees -- any one of whom could be connected to terrorism -- being placed in our State."
In September, Mayor De Blasio, along with Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles, announced an expanded coalition of "more than 70 cities and counties" that urged "immediate implementation" of President Obama's Immigration Executive Action.
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