HARRISBURG, Pa. – Governor Tom Wolf sent a letter to President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday stating that he will not be using state authority granted last month to refuse to accept refugees.
In the letter, Governor Wolf reaffirmed his commitment to keeping Pennsylvania a state that opens its doors to people facing persecution and danger, including those that other states refuse to accept.
Wolf’s letter states that refugees have often made communities better over the years, and notes that “refugees seeking to resettle in America are subject to the highest level of security checks.”
The letter goes on to to say that Wolf is “dismayed” by the nation reducing it’s commitment to refugees facing violence, persecution, and death.
“Pennsylvania is a commonwealth founded on tolerance and inclusion,” said Gov. Wolf. “I will continue to pursue this mission of creating a place where people of all backgrounds feel welcome. That includes welcoming refugees.”
The letter is a response to President Trump’s decision last month to sharply decrease the number of refugees allowed into the United States and give state and local governments the authority to refuse to accept them for the first time.
The order by President Trump requires officials to provide public written consent to receive refugees.
Read Governor Wolf’s full letter as a PDF or on Scribd.
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