Kentucky’s current and future governors hold opposing views on whether Syrian refugees should be accepted into the commonwealth.
Democratic Governor Steve Beshear, who leaves office in early December, says Kentucky will continue accepting Syrian refugees in the wake of an ongoing civil war - so long as they’re screened.
"In terms of the impact of this violence on refugees, obviously, these are women and children and people who are in desperate need, and if America needs to help out, we will help out," Beshear said in a release. "But we have to be very careful and make sure that we screen people so we only bring folks into the United States who are truly looking for a safe haven."
Republican Governor-elect Matt Bevin, who assumes office December 8, has joined governors from Indiana, Illinois and several other states who say they’d deny those seeking resettlement.
"The recent terrorist attacks in Paris serve as a warning to the entire civilized world that we must remain vigilant," Bevin said. "It is imperative that we do everything in our power to prevent any similar attack by evildoers from taking place here in America."
