Dayton, Walker disagree on Syrian refugees

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker took sharply contrasting positions Monday on Syrian refugees.

Dayton released a statement saying he does not object to the possible placement of Syrian refugees in Minnesota, as long as they go through rigorous security screening.

Dayton, a Democrat, said he received assurances that such screening procedures are in place.

“I have been assured by the White House that all refugees are subject to the highest level of security checks of any category of traveler to the United States,” Dayton wrote.

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The Obama administration has said it intends to allow 10,000 Syrian refugees into the U.S..

Several Republican governors are not convinced. They remain concerned because one of the terrorists in Paris is suspected to have been a Syrian refugee.

Walker said Wisconsin won’t accept any new Syrian refugees because he believes they pose a threat. In a statement, Walker also called on President Obama to suspend the program pending a security review.

“There may be those who will try to take advantage of the generosity of our country and the ability to move freely within our borders through this federal resettlement program, and we must ensure we are doing all we can to safeguard the security of Americans,” Walker wrote.

Walker and Dayton both began their statements stressing that their first priority is public safety.

It's not clear how much power governors have to block refugees from coming to their states.

Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R- Crown, sent a letter to Dayton asking him to call on President Obama to halt the acceptance of any more refugees until the Department of Homeland Security reviews its screening procedures.