Lawmaker Doesn’t Want Syrian Refugees in South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A Republican state representative doesn't want Syrian refugees in South Dakota in the wake of the terrorist attacks that occurred last week.

State Rep. Elizabeth May on Monday sent a letter to Gov. Dennis Daugaard asking him "not to accept" refugees from Syria or other Middle East countries through the nation's refugee resettlement program.

The Obama administration has pledged to accept about 10,000 Syrian refugees. Daugaard's office says South Dakota has not received any Syrian refugees and doesn't believe any will be sent to the state.

A terrorist rampage across Paris Friday killed at least 129 people and wounded hundreds more.

May says that accepting refugees "places the citizens of South Dakota in harm's way."

However, the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigration says under the Refugee Act of 1980 governors cannot legally block refugees from settling in their communities.

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