DETROIT (AP) — The mayors of Detroit and Austin are welcoming Syrian refugees despite pushback by their states’ Republican governors following the deadly attacks in Paris.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says his city can support 50 Syrian families annually for the next three years. Mayor Steve Adler says Austin has accepted three Syrian refugees in the past two years and another is coming.
The Democrats spoke during a White House-arranged conference call Monday, a week after numerous Republican governors spoke out against federal refugee policies.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has instructed refugee-resettling organizations to stop helping Syrians. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, who initially lobbied for refugees, has urged a pause in the resettlement program until security concerns are addressed.
Duggan says he’s comfortable with the refugee-vetting process. Adler says refugees are terror victims.