On Nov. 16, Gov. Doug Ducey issued a statement declaring that Arizona will not be accepting any new refugees coming into the state.
“I am calling for an immediate halt in the placement of any new refugees in Arizona,” Ducey said. “I also call on Congress and the President to immediately amend federal law to provide states greater oversight and authority in the administration of the placement of refugees.”
In the statement, Ducey referred to his power under 8 USC, Section 1552 (a), which calls for consultation with federal authorities with regard to the placement of refugees.
The main impetus behind the recent action address toward incoming refugees stems from the coordinated attacks that occurred in Paris on Nov. 13, which left at least 130 people dead.
Ducey harshly condemned the attacks and discussed his reason to take action.
“These acts serve as a reminder that the world remains at war with radical Islamic terrorists,” Ducey said in the statement. “Our national leaders must react with the urgency and leadership that every American expects to protect our citizens.”
Independent states and their governors do not hold the authority to halt refugee resettlement. Despite this, more than half of the governors in the country have issued similar statements in response to the terror attacks in Paris.
Dr. William Dixon, professor in the UA School of Government and Public Policy, explained the legality behind Ducey’s remarks.
“[Gov.] Ducey does not have the legal authority to block these refugees, and can only make his case to the State Department, who will then decide whether or not the refugees end up in Arizona,” Dixon said.
On Nov. 19, the House of Representatives voted to increase the screening procedures for Syrian refugees looking to enter the U.S.
The bill received bipartisan support and was passed by a vote of 289-137.
According to a report by The New York Times, the bill requires the director of the FBI, James Comey; the director of National Intelligence, James R. Clapper; and the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, to confirm that each refugee admitted into the country poses no security threat.
While the fate of the bill sits at the discretion of the Senate, Ducey’s call to halt the influx of refugees into Arizona will have to wait for federal action on the request.
Any additional legislation to address the issue of national security and incoming Syrian refugees, will be left to the U.S. Congress to act upon in the coming days.
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