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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Kelly Fenton (R)

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Fenton, House Republicans Believe First Priority Must Be Keeping Minnesotans Safe

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

St. Paul— Representative Kelly Fenton (R-Woodbury), issued the following statement in support of a letter sent by House Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) calling on Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton to urge President Obama to suspend relocation efforts for Syrian refugees until the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has completed a full review of security and screening procedures for refugees entering the country. 

A copy of the letter is attached and can be found here. 

"After the recent attacks in Paris and across the globe, it is important that our government's first priority is to keep Minnesota citizens safe," said Rep. Fenton. "What is happening to innocent families and refugees in Syria is truly tragic and our heart breaks for them. However, the nation should temporarily suspend its relocation program until the Department of Homeland Security can ensure it is adequately screening entrants to ensure we do not welcome terrorists into the United States or Minnesota."

In 2015, Rep. Fenton and other House Republicans championed an initiative to help the Department of Public Safety combat the recruitment of Minnesotans by terrorist organizations like ISIS.