Legal Experts Say Governors Cannot Block Syrian Refugees

ATLANTA - Governor Nathan Deal along with several other governors signed an executive order blocking Syrian Refugees from entering their states, but legal experts said governors do not have the legal authority to keep refugees out of their states.

Immigration attorney, Charles Kuck said “I am not sure they really understand the constitution of the United States.”

“They do not get to choose who comes to live in Georgia,” said Kuck.

Kuck said the state does have the right to refuse funding for resettlement programs, but adds that the programs are 95% federally funded.

In his executive order, Governor Deal also put those refugees already in the state under increased scrutiny.  “I am told we have about 59 already that have been relocated to Georgia,” said Gov. Deal.

“I’ve asked our Homeland Security Department to work with the federal authorities, to once again go back and vet the 59 who are already here,” said Gov. Deal.

J.D. McCrary, executive director with International Rescue Committee said refugees entering the United States already go through a strong vetting process.

“Refugees undergo the most vetted security background checks of any form of immigrant to the United States.”

“It would be virtually impossible for anyone meaning any type of ill will to anyone in the United States to actually navigate this program,” said McCrary.

McCrary is asking supporters to call Governor Deal’s Office and reiterate what McCrary said are effective security checks for Syrian Refugees.

Under the Refugee Act of 1980, Kuck said it takes one and half to two years for someone to begin the process as a refugee to actually end up in the United States.  “You have 13 agencies going through the process and background checking each of these individuals,” said Kuck. “Plus they are personally interviewed several times before they are granted that refugee status.”

FOX 5’s Nathalie Pozo contacted the Governor’s Office Tuesday and asked if Governor Deal is doing anything to enforce the executive order.  In an email response the Governor’s Office said “Until action is taken by the federal government and Congress, Governor Deal believes this is the appropriate action to take in order to ensure the safety of Georgians.”