Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is calling on Governor Bruce Rauner to meet with Syrian refugee families.
“These are poor people who are trying to escape ISIS,” Durbin said. “If the governor would just take a few moments, his idea about these refugees might change.”
Rauner last week said the state should temporarily stop accepting refugees following the terrorist attacks in Paris. A spokesman for the governor says Rauner is frustrated over the federal government’s refusal to address specific security concerns and requests for information.
Durbin says the refugees are the most carefully investigated people entering the country.
Lance Trover, Rauner's Director of Communications, said in an emailed statement that the governor spoke by phone last Friday with White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough about the Syrian refugee program.
"The Governor affirmed his commitment to be a partner with the federal government on the resettlement of refugees," Trover said, "and noted a growing frustration over the federal government’s refusal to address specific security concerns and requests for information."
Trover said Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas later spoke with Rauner by phone. Mayorkas said privacy concerns may preclude the federal government from sharing advance information on Syrian refugees, according to Trover.
"Deputy Secretary Mayorkas agreed to assemble a team to address the Governor’s questions," Trover said, "and would follow up with the Governor’s Office to schedule a briefing time.”