Indiana Gov. Denies Relocation to Refugees Set to Come to State Tomorrow

Two refugee families originally approved for relocation in the United States received letters Tuesday saying they are no longer welcome in Indiana. The refugees were set to arrive in Indianapolis on Thursday.

Joining dozens of governors rushing to close their borders to Syrian refugees, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence suspended the state’s resettlement program Monday, directing all agencies to refuse refugees until the federal government can ensure “proper security measures are in place.”

Indiana Family and Social Services sent the letters to the families through Exodus Refugee Immigration Inc. and Catholic Charities Indianapolis, organizations that assist Syrians seeking refugee status in the United States. The New York Times reported one of the families waited for three years in Jordan before receiving approval for relocation in the United States; they will be redirected to Connecticut, one of about 20 states that reaffirmed its commitment to refugees after the Paris terror attacks.

Carleen Miller, executive director Exodus Refugee Immigration, told The IndyStar that having to find the family a new home at the last minutes was extremely difficult.

“It’s heartbreaking. It’s a really sad week for Hoosiers,” Miller said, adding she doesn’t “think this represents” people from Indiana. “We’ve been overwhelmed with calls from supportive people wanting to help Syrian refugees. We need to have a welcoming message for refugees in this state,” Miller said.

[Image via Wikimedia Commons]

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