Governor Steve Beshear believes Kentucky should be willing to accept Syrian refugees as long as they are screened.
Beshear comments came during a stop Monday in Lexington. Governors from several states across the U.S. are expressing concern about accepting refugees.
Beshear says the plight of these families deserves attention. “If folks are truly refugees and not terrorists and truly are just looking for a safe haven, then truly Kentucky ought to step up with everybody else and do the Christian thing and that is to be your brother’s keeper,” said Beshear.
Beshear doesn’t expect a sizable number of refugees to come to Kentucky. “If you’re talking about some 65,000 refugees in all, which is what I think is a number I have heard floating around, and you look at the United States of America, I don’t think very many of them will be landing here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” added Beshear.
Beshear admitted he hasn’t spoken to governor elect Matt Bevin about the issue.
Bevin released a statement saying he’s opposing the resettlement of Syrians until the state can better determine the risks.
