LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is calling for a bipartisan group of state and federal authorities to take up concerns about the Syrian refugee screening process and more talks on the topic at a meeting of governors appointed by the president.
The Republican governor, who urges a pause in the resettlement program until security concerns are addressed, released a letter Tuesday sent to Secretary of State John Kerry and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson. Snyder wants them involved in discussions about the “effectiveness of the vetting process” with the 10-member Council of Governors and state-level homeland security officials at an upcoming meeting.
Other GOP governors seek to block Syrians following last month’s deadly attacks in Paris.
The Associated Press left a message seeking comment from a Homeland Security spokeswoman.
Federal officials say refugees’ vetting is thorough and the Obama administration has proposed offering governors individualized reports about refugees in their states.
