U.S. Attorney Grissom: States wrong to try to bar refugees

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom issued a statement Tuesday discouraging hateful or discriminatory acts against Muslims in the wake of terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif.

He also criticized efforts to bar refugees from certain states or from the United States.

“Decisions as to the resettlement of refugees within the United States are part of the federal government’s constitutional and statutory authority over immigration,” he said. Grissom was appointed the U.S. attorney for Kansas by President Obama in 2010.

Last month, dozens of governors spoke out against letting Syrian refugees into the United States. Millions of Syrians have fled their country because of government bombings and extremist groups like the Islamic State, creating a major humanitarian crisis.

Gov. Sam Brownback signed an executive order in November saying no state agency or organization receiving state money would help relocate Syrian refugees in the Sunflower State.

Grissom said refugees should not be treated differently based on the country they are fleeing.

“Various federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of national origin,” Grissom added. “The Department of Justice takes very seriously its responsibility to ensure that those laws are enforced in appropriate circumstances.”

Eileen Hawley, Brownback’s spokeswoman, said in an e-mail that the refugee resettlement program is a collaboration between the state and federal government.

“It is well within the Governor’s authority to direct how state agencies and groups receiving state funding use those funds,” Hawley said.

Supporters of the Islamic State terrorist group carried out last month’s Paris attacks that killed 130 and the Dec. 2 attacks in San Bernardino that left 14 dead.

Grissom said fear of terrorism and terrorist groups is no reason for backlash against American Muslims.

“We must not let fear drive us to hateful and divisive acts toward Muslims in this country,” Grissom said. “… I urge Kansans not to turn against one another by letting this fight be defined as a war between America and Islam. That is what the terrorists want.”

He added that the Department of Justice will act to enforce hate crime laws.

“We always have a concern when we see rhetoric cross the line and become threats or violence,” he said. “It is the responsibility of all Americans of every faith to reject discrimination.”

The topic of rhetoric about Muslims flared up recently after Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump suggested the U.S. block Muslim immigrants from entering the country. While Trump gained more support in some polls, critics blasted the idea for being contrary to American values.

This story was originally published December 15, 2015 at 5:32 PM with the headline "U.S. Attorney Grissom: States wrong to try to bar refugees."